plate no. 1552
Portrait of man
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and using expressive brushstrokes to convey form and texture. It also provides practice in working with a limited color palette to create depth and mood.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hat.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the darkest and lightest areas with thin washes of paint.
- step 03
Begin to build up the mid-tones, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color within the face and clothing.
- step 04
Use thicker paint and more expressive brushstrokes to define the details of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 05
Add highlights to the face and clothing to create a sense of volume and depth.
- step 06
Refine the background, using loose brushstrokes to suggest a sense of atmosphere.
- step 07
Add the pipe and any other small details, paying attention to their placement and proportion.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and expressive portrait.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, burnt umber, and a touch of red or yellow. Dark areas are created with black and burnt umber. Use white to lighten values.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and lifeless portrait.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure, leading to a flat and unconvincing image.
- →Using too many colors, resulting in a muddy and incoherent palette.
- →Ignoring the importance of expressive brushstrokes, leading to a lack of energy and dynamism.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (12x16 or 16x20)
- ·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, titanium white, cadmium red light, yellow ochre)
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the painting process.
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