plate no. 1048

Sir Alec Martin

Walter Sickert, 1935

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigurechairinteriorfireplacemirror

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing likeness and rendering form with loose brushstrokes. It also provides practice in mixing subtle color variations to represent light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, chair, and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color with thin washes, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Gradually build up layers of paint, adding more detail and refining the shapes.
step 04
Pay attention to the subtle color variations in the skin tones and clothing.
step 05
Use loose, visible brushstrokes to create texture and movement.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details of the face and hands.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix various shades of blue and brown with white to create the cool tones of the walls and figure. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to add warmth to the skin tones and furniture.

techniques