plate no. 8847

Portrait of Asburyh W. Lee

Thomas Eakins, 1905

oil, canvasRealismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingchairbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle value gradations, and capturing a likeness. It also provides practice in rendering realistic fabric and skin tones.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark brown, gradually building up layers of color and value.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the figure: the face, hands, and clothing, using simplified shapes and values.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle variations in skin tone and the play of light and shadow.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds, buttons, and textures.
step 06
Work on the hands, carefully observing the shapes of the fingers and the highlights on the knuckles.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining the primary colors. Use yellow ochre and cadmium red light sparingly to add warmth to the skin tones.

techniques

·underpainting
·glazing
·scumbling
·blending
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figure.
→Overly harsh or unrealistic skin tones.
→Lack of depth and dimension in the clothing.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in value and color.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, burnt umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red light)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·rags