plate no. 0724

Sir Frederick Treves, Bt.

oil, canvasAcademicismportraitportraitfigureskulltablejarsbones

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to create depth and form through value and color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes and proportions of the figure and objects.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of burnt umber and raw sienna, varying the tones slightly.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the figure's clothing, focusing on the darks of the suit and the light of the shirt.
step 04
Start building up the skin tones with layers of thin paint, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, using smaller brushes.
step 06
Paint the still life elements on the table, such as the skull, bones, and jars, focusing on their textures and forms.
step 07
Add highlights and details to the clothing and background to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to achieve a cohesive and realistic painting.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, and titanium white. Use small amounts of cadmium red and ultramarine blue to create subtle variations in skin tones and shadows.

techniques

·grisaille underpainting
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong in the initial sketch.
→Overworking the skin tones and creating a muddy effect.
→Failing to create enough contrast between the highlights and shadows.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red light, ultramarine blue)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat, various sizes)
·palette knife
·rags