plate no. 6549
Portret Jana Dzierżysława Tarnowskiego
Henryk Rodakowski, 1889
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting complex textures and fabrics.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure.
- step 02
Establish the background with broad, blended strokes of muted colors.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, paying attention to the overall value structure.
- step 04
Develop the skin tones, using subtle variations in color and value to create form.
- step 05
Add details to the clothing, including the fur trim and decorative elements.
- step 06
Render the hands, carefully observing the anatomy and subtle details.
- step 07
Paint the sword and other accessories, paying attention to their texture and form.
- step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and adding final details.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use black and umber for dark areas, and white to lighten values. Create subtle variations by adding small amounts of blue or green.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in value and color.
- →Ignoring the importance of edges and transitions.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·medium gloss
- ·mahogany palette
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-tooth canvas will provide a good surface for blending and layering.
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