plate no. 8023

Portrait of John B. Turner, Pioneer

Grant Wood, 1929

oilRegionalismportraitportraitfiguresuitmapbuildingsglasses

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding how to create depth and form through subtle value changes.

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 the proportions of the figure and the placement of the background elements.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and then moving to the figure.
step 03
Establish the basic values of the face, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 04
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Work on the details of the suit, including the folds and wrinkles.
step 06
Add the details of the background, including the map and the buildings.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light · titanium white

Mix various shades of brown and gray for the suit and background. Use white to lighten the skin tones and add highlights. Mix small amounts of red and blue to create subtle variations in the skin tones.

techniques