plate no. 8825
Portrait of painter Oumvertos Argyros
Nikolaos Lytras, 1903
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering form with subtle value changes. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through loose brushwork and a limited color palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch of the overall composition, focusing on proportions and placement of key features.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and then the larger shapes of the figure.
- step 03
Establish the basic values, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns on the face and clothing.
- step 04
Refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness and expression of the subject.
- step 05
Add details to the clothing and hat, using loose brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest.
- step 06
Adjust the values and colors as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 07
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the painting.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · burnt sienna
secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, burnt sienna, and a touch of red and yellow. Use black and umber for shadows, and white for highlights. The background is a mix of black, umber, and a touch of green.
techniques
- ·portrait drawing
- ·alla prima
- ·value studies
- ·limited palette
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, painterly quality.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
- →Using too much color and creating a garish effect.
- →Ignoring the importance of value contrast in creating form and depth.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 12x16
- ·Oil paints: ivory black, raw umber, titanium white, burnt sienna, cadmium red light, yellow ochre
- ·Palette
- ·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Palette knife
- ·Rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·mahl stick
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to simplify the initial stages of the painting.
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