Portrait of Michiel De Ruyter

approach — 8 steps

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium red · yellow ochre

secondary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Achieve the rich blacks by mixing ivory black and burnt umber. Create skin tones by mixing cadmium red, yellow ochre, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and titanium white for the sky and sea.

techniques

• ·Glazing: Use thin layers of transparent color to build up depth and richness.
• ·Scumbling: Apply broken, textured brushstrokes to create a sense of surface detail.
• ·Chiaroscuro: Employ strong contrasts between light and dark to create dramatic effects.
• ·Portraiture: Accurately capture the likeness and character of the subject.
• ·Blending: Smoothly transition between colors and values to create soft edges.

common pitfalls

• →Inaccurate proportions in the figure.
• →Overworking the details too early in the process.
• →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere in the background.
• →Not capturing the likeness of the subject.