plate no. 3324

Portrait of my father

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfiguremanchairclothingbeard

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering form with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in mixing subtle color variations within a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with a thin wash of burnt umber.
step 03
Block in the large areas of color for the background, clothing, and skin tones.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying attention to the planes of the face.
step 05
Add details to the clothing and chair, using visible brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final details, such as the hair, beard, and eyes.
step 08
Adjust the overall composition and color balance as needed.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white. Add small amounts of cadmium red for warmth and viridian green for coolness. Use yellow ochre to create highlights in the skin tones.

techniques