plate no. 1674

Sir David Murray, Artist

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingfacemustache

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones with subtle color variations. It also provides practice in creating depth and form through layering and blending.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure using light pencil lines.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin, hair, clothing, and background.
step 03
Start layering in the mid-tones, gradually building up the shadows and highlights.
step 04
Pay close attention to the subtle color variations in the skin tones, using thin glazes.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add details to the clothing and background, maintaining a sense of depth.
step 07
Use visible brushstrokes to add texture and interest to the painting.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Darken areas with umber and black, and lighten with white and yellow ochre. Use ultramarine blue to cool down shadows.

techniques

·portraiture
·layering
·blending
·glazing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overblending, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
→Using too much black, making the shadows look muddy.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin tones.
→Getting the proportions wrong, resulting in a distorted likeness.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·Oil paints (raw umber, burnt sienna, titanium white, ivory black, cadmium red light, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Soft cloths