plate no. 1053
Sean
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in subtle color mixing for skin tones and understanding light and shadow to create form. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness and creating a realistic portrait.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, neck, and hat.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of a neutral color.
- step 03
Begin blocking in the main areas of color, focusing on the shadows and mid-tones.
- step 04
Gradually build up the skin tones, using subtle color variations to create form.
- step 05
Refine the details of the face, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 06
Add the details of the hat, capturing its texture and shape.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors as needed to create a sense of depth and realism.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · cadmium red light
secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black
Mix skin tones using titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red light, and a touch of burnt umber. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create the dark tones of the hat.
techniques
- ·color mixing
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Failing to accurately capture the proportions of the face.
- →Using too much paint, resulting in a thick, overworked surface.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin tones.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·assorted round and flat brushes
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-grit canvas will provide a good surface for blending.
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