plate no. 6251
Samuel P. Avery
Raimundo de Madrazo, 1876
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness. It will also provide practice in blending and layering to create realistic skin tones and textures.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic proportions of the head and shoulders, paying attention to the placement of facial features.
- step 02
Block in the background with a muted green, establishing the overall tone.
- step 03
Establish the main values of the face, hair, and beard using thin washes of color.
- step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to refine the skin tones, focusing on subtle shifts in value and hue.
- step 05
Paint the clothing, paying attention to the folds and shadows in the fabric.
- step 06
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes.
- step 07
Refine the hair and beard, adding individual strands and highlights.
- step 08
Add final details such as the rose and bow tie.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · ivory black
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · yellow ochre
Mix skin tones using titanium white, raw umber, burnt sienna, and a touch of cadmium red. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black for the bow tie. Muted greens are achieved by mixing yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and ivory black.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·value studies
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of the face.
- →Over-blending, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
- →Ignoring subtle shifts in value and hue.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·oil paints (titanium white, raw umber, burnt sienna, ivory black, ultramarine blue, cadmium red, yellow ochre)
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat, sizes 2-8)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-grit canvas will provide a good surface for blending and layering.
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