plate no. 5818

Portrait of Dr. Albert C Getchell

Thomas Eakins, 1907

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingbeardface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering form through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in achieving realistic skin tones and depicting fabric textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the composition, focusing on proportions and placement of features.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of burnt umber and raw sienna.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the face, hair, and clothing with mid-tone values.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 05
Develop the details of the hair and beard, using small brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Work on the clothing, capturing the folds and highlights.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the portrait.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones using burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, and small amounts of cadmium red light and yellow ochre. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create the dark tones in the clothing and background.

techniques