plate no. 8121

Sir John Everett Millais

oil, canvasRealismportraitportraitfigurepalettemanclothingbrushes

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in portraiture, focusing on subtle value changes to model form. Students will develop skills in blending and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of burnt umber and raw sienna.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin refining the face, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle value changes.
step 05
Develop the clothing, using darker values to create shadows and lighter values for highlights.
step 06
Paint the palette and brushes, paying attention to the colors and textures.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to the face and clothing.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and add depth.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre

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 yellow ochre to add warmth to the skin tones.

techniques

·underpainting
·glazing
·blending
·scumbling
·value studies

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using too much color and not enough neutral tones.
→Ignoring the subtle shifts in value that create form.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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