plate no. 5349

Portrait of Old Joe

oilSymbolismportraitportraitmanhatshadowfaceclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to depict light and shadow on a face and how to use brushstrokes to create texture and form. It's also a great exercise in capturing a likeness with limited color and detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, hat, and shoulders, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the overall warm background color with a thin wash.
step 03
Block in the large shadow areas on the face and hat using a darker, cooler tone.
step 04
Begin adding highlights to the face, hat, and shirt, gradually building up the form.
step 05
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, focusing on capturing the likeness.
step 06
Add texture to the beard and clothing using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors as needed to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix yellow ochre and burnt umber for the background and hat. Add white to lighten these colors for highlights. Use a touch of red for the cheeks and nose. Mix blue and umber for the cool shadows.

techniques