plate no. 7750

Richard Hughes

Augustus John, 1937

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfiguremanbeardclothinghead

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and expressive brushwork. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and creating a sense of depth through layering.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and background.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by applying thin washes of color to the background and main areas of the figure.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones with layers of warm and cool colors, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Define the features of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 05
Add details to the beard, hair, and clothing, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture and interest.
step 06
Refine the background by adding subtle variations in color and tone.
step 07
Adjust the overall composition and color balance to create a harmonious and unified image.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black · alizarin crimson

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt sienna, cadmium red, and titanium white, adjusting the ratios to create warm and cool variations. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create neutral tones for shadows.

techniques

·broken color
·dry brush
·scumbling
·layering
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overblending the skin tones, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
→Failing to capture the correct proportions of the face.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in color and tone.
→Using too much detail in the background, distracting from the main subject.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, cadmium red, yellow ochre, ivory black, alizarin crimson)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags