plate no. 2098

Portrait of Duncan

oilImpressionismportraitportraitfigureinteriordogsnewspaperwindow

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting textures and creating a sense of depth through layering and color mixing.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure, dogs, and key elements.
step 02
Establish the background with broad washes of color, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, using a limited palette to establish the overall tones.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness and subtle variations in skin tone.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, newspaper, and other elements, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Paint the dogs, paying attention to the fur texture and the way the light interacts with their coats.
step 07
Refine the background and foreground, adding details and adjusting the values to create depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall realism and visual impact.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · violet

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining raw umber, ultramarine blue, and titanium white. Achieve skin tones by mixing titanium white, cadmium red light, yellow ochre, and a touch of ultramarine blue.

techniques