plate no. 7533

Portrait of Mr. Taft, President of the United States

Joaquín Sorolla, 1909

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitportraitfiguremansuitchairbackground

experienced study

This painting provides an opportunity to practice portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. Students can also develop skills in depicting fabric textures and creating depth through value and color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, suit, and skin tones using thin washes.
step 03
Start building up the values and details in the face, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Develop the details of the suit, chair, and hands, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Refine the edges and details throughout the painting, ensuring a cohesive and realistic representation.
step 06
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the figure.
step 07
Glaze areas to unify color and enhance depth.
step 08
Sign the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of red. Achieve dark tones by mixing black, umber, and a touch of blue. Use white and yellow ochre for the chair.

techniques

·portraiture
·alla prima
·scumbling
·glazing
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
→Overblending the skin tones, resulting in a flat appearance.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the shadows.
→Losing the sense of depth and form.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, burnt sienna, titanium white, cadmium red light, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·rags