plate no. 1863

Portrait of Jack Rolling

oilImpressionismportraitfigureboatwatercityscapesailclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing likeness and skin tones, as well as understanding how to suggest detail with loose brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's proportions and placement within the boat.
step 02
Establish the background cityscape with broad strokes of muted greens, blues, and grays.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, using dark tones for the jacket and lighter tones for the pants.
step 04
Begin refining the figure's face, paying attention to the subtle variations in skin tone and the placement of features.
step 05
Add details to the boat and rigging, using thin lines and small dabs of paint.
step 06
Develop the folds and textures of the clothing, using broken brushstrokes and subtle value changes.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows throughout the painting, adding depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and expressive portrait.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining ivory black, raw umber, and titanium white. Use small amounts of cadmium red light to warm up skin tones.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·alla prima
·portraiture
·implied detail

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, losing the freshness and spontaneity of the brushwork.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the figure.
→Creating muddy or dull colors by overmixing.
→Ignoring the subtle value changes that create form.