plate no. 5616

Retrato do pintor Waldemar da Costa

Eduardo Viana, 1931

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfiguremanplaid shirtjewelryshadow

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice portraiture basics, including proportion and capturing likeness, as well as layering and blending techniques to create form and depth.

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, focusing on the head, torso, and limbs.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of dark, muted colors.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, shirt, and pants, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the details of the plaid shirt, using a smaller brush to create the pattern.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create form and depth in the figure and clothing.
step 07
Refine the background and add any final details.
step 08
Varnish the painting when dry to protect the surface and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white. Add small amounts of ultramarine blue or cadmium red to adjust the color temperature.

techniques