plate no. 4413
Samuel Salisbury
Gilbert Stuart, 1811
experienced study
Students would develop essential portrait skills including facial structure, subtle flesh tone mixing, and the challenging technique of rendering light against dark backgrounds with dramatic contrast.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a careful drawing of the figure's proportions and chair placement
- step 02
Block in the dark background using broad brushstrokes
- step 03
Establish the basic flesh tones for face and hands using warm mixtures
- step 04
Paint the black coat with attention to form and subtle highlights
- step 05
Develop the facial features with careful attention to light source
- step 06
Add the white cravat and shirt details with clean brushwork
- step 07
Render the powdered hair with cool gray tones
- step 08
Refine chair details and final highlights throughout
color palette
primary · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
secondary · ivory black · raw sienna · ultramarine blue · naples yellow
Flesh tones achieved by mixing yellow ochre, cadmium red light, and white with touches of burnt umber for shadows
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro lighting
- ·flesh tone rendering
- ·glazing for depth
- ·lost and found edges
- ·color temperature variation
common pitfalls
- →overworking facial features
- →making flesh tones too pink or yellow
- →losing form in the dark clothing
- →creating harsh edges throughout
materials
surface · stretched canvas with warm gray ground
required
- ·#2 flat brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·#4 round brush
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·stretched canvas 24x20
optional
- ·palette knife for mixing
- ·glazing medium
- ·#1 liner brush
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
A warm gray ground helps establish the overall tone and makes color judgment easier for portrait work
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