plate no. 8935

Simon Hayem

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingchairformal wear

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones using a limited palette. It also provides practice in creating depth and form through subtle value changes and expressive brushwork.

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 proportions and composition of the portrait.
step 02
Block in the background with dark, muted tones, focusing on creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Establish the main shapes of the figure, paying attention to the overall pose and proportions.
step 04
Begin layering in the skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 05
Define the features of the face, focusing on capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 06
Paint the clothing, using darker tones and looser brushstrokes to create texture and form.
step 07
Add details such as the bow tie, the red flower, and the hands, refining the shapes and values.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition, ensuring that the values and colors are balanced and harmonious.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red light · raw sienna

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Use black and umber to create dark shadows and muted tones for the background and clothing.

techniques

·portrait painting
·value studies
·chiaroscuro
·dry brushing
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the face wrong, leading to an inaccurate likeness.
→Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
→Failing to create enough contrast between the light and dark areas, making the painting look muddy.
→Ignoring the importance of subtle value changes in creating form and depth.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (burnt umber, ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red light, raw sienna)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags