plate no. 0320

Portrait of Félix-Emile Taunay

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigureclothingmalehairface

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, capturing likeness, and rendering subtle skin tones. It also provides practice in painting clothing folds and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the background and major shapes with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the placement and shape of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 04
Develop the skin tones by layering and blending different shades of warm and cool colors.
step 05
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 06
Add details to the hair, using small brushstrokes to suggest texture and movement.
step 07
Refine the edges and details throughout the painting to create a polished finish.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · ivory black · cadmium red light · Prussian blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use umber and black to create shadows and darker tones in the clothing and background. Mix blue and umber for the coat.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·blending
·chiaroscuro
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions can ruin the likeness.
→Over-blending can result in a flat, lifeless appearance.
→Ignoring the value structure can lead to a muddy or unrealistic painting.
→Getting the skin tones wrong can make the portrait look unnatural.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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