plate no. 2625
Sir George H. Fisher-Smith
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones and textures. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors, focusing on the overall value structure.
- step 03
Refine the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value.
- step 04
Develop the details of the clothing and accessories, such as the medals and buttons.
- step 05
Paint the background drapery, using soft, blended brushstrokes.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.
- step 07
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre
Mix skin tones by combining white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Darken colors with ivory black and lighten with titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create neutral grays for shadows.
techniques
- ·portrait painting
- ·color mixing
- ·blending
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
- →Ignoring the subtle value changes that create a sense of depth.
- →Getting lost in the details before establishing the overall composition.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·round brushes (#2, #4, #6)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium such as linseed oil can be used to thin the paints and improve flow.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
related guides
in this vein
