plate no. 8355

Portrait of William H. MacDowell

Thomas Eakins, 1904

oil, canvasRealismportraitportraitmanbeardclothingfacehair

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice portraiture, focusing on capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. Students will also learn about creating depth and form using subtle value changes and soft blending.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and clothing.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas with thin washes of burnt umber and black.
step 03
Begin layering in skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 04
Carefully observe and replicate the subtle color variations in the face, paying attention to the transitions between light and shadow.
step 05
Develop the beard and hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture and volume.
step 06
Refine the details of the clothing, focusing on the folds and wrinkles.
step 07
Adjust the background to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the portrait to life.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by combining white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Use small amounts of blue to cool down shadows. Achieve the gray tones in the hair and beard by mixing black and white with a touch of umber.

techniques