plate no. 0886
Portrait of Eric Satie
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow in an interior scene and practice creating a realistic skin tone using a limited palette. It also provides an opportunity to practice loose, expressive brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, focusing on proportions and placement.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and floor.
- step 03
Establish the basic values and shadows on the figure.
- step 04
Develop the details of the face, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color and value.
- step 05
Add details to the fireplace, bed, and other objects in the room.
- step 06
Refine the brushwork, using loose and expressive strokes to create texture and movement.
- step 07
Add highlights and final touches to bring the painting to life.
- step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting.
color palette
primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, raw umber, and a touch of cadmium red light. Use ivory black and raw umber for the dark clothing and shadows.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·limited palette
- ·alla prima
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details
- →Using too much paint
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in color and value
- →Getting the proportions wrong
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) for this painting. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the overall color harmony.
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