plate no. 9008

Portrait of Emmanuel Lansler

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguremanbeardclothingface

some experience helpful

This painting is good for learning portrait proportions, value relationships, and how to suggest form with loose brushstrokes. It also provides practice in mixing skin tones and rendering fabric.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Establish the darkest and lightest areas to create a value structure.
step 04
Begin building up the skin tones, layering colors and blending edges.
step 05
Work on the details of the face, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Render the beard and hair with loose, expressive brushstrokes.
step 07
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and shadows.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones by blending burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white. Use small amounts of cadmium red light to add warmth to the cheeks and lips. Create darker values by adding ivory black to the mixture.

techniques

·alla prima
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·value study
·portrait sketching

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Getting the proportions wrong and creating an unrealistic likeness.
→Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
→Ignoring the value structure and creating a flat, lifeless portrait.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, ivory black, cadmium red light, yellow ochre)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·rags or paper towels