plate no. 8243
Portrait of Count Giovan Battista Morosini
Francesco Hayez, 1875
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones. It also provides practice in creating depth and form using subtle value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and hat.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the skin tones, clothing, and background.
- step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 05
Develop the details of the clothing and hat, adding highlights and shadows.
- step 06
Soften edges and blend transitions to create a smooth, realistic effect.
- step 07
Add final details and highlights to bring the portrait to life.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to adjust the overall tone and saturation.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre
Mix skin tones using white, burnt sienna, and a touch of red and yellow ochre. Achieve dark blacks by mixing ivory black and burnt umber.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·value study
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Getting the proportions wrong.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) is recommended for beginners.
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