plate no. 8590

Robert Spence Watson

oilRealismportraitportraitfigurechairtablebooksinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding tonal values to create depth and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, chair, and table, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark brown, gradually building up darker tones.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the figure, chair, and table, focusing on the overall values.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the highlights and shadows to create form.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing and chair, using subtle variations in color and value to create texture.
step 06
Add details to the table and objects on it, such as the books and inkwell.
step 07
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and adding highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to the face and hands.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining the primary colors. Use white to lighten values and add highlights. Add small amounts of red and blue to create subtle variations in skin tone.

techniques

·portraiture
·value studies
·blending
·layering
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to create a convincing sense of depth and form.
→Using colors that are too saturated.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·rags