plate no. 4923

Samuel Bullitt Churchill

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)portraitportraitfigurelandscapeclothingskymountains

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and creating realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in blending and layering techniques to achieve subtle gradations of light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and then moving to the figure's clothing and skin.
step 03
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the placement and shape of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 04
Develop the values in the face, using highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the folds and creases in the fabric.
step 06
Refine the background landscape, adding details to the mountains, sky, and vegetation.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to the entire painting.
step 08
Varnish the painting for protection and to enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Skin tones can be achieved by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. Dark areas are created by adding black and umber to the base colors. The background is a mix of umber, blue, and white.

techniques