plate no. 7931
Sir John Everett Millais
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering form with subtle value changes. It also provides practice in creating a dark, atmospheric background and using chiaroscuro to highlight the subject.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
5
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure on the canvas.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber.
- step 03
Block in the dark background, leaving the figure's form suggested.
- step 04
Begin building up the skin tones, focusing on subtle value changes to define form.
- step 05
Add details to the hair, beard, and clothing, paying attention to texture and light.
- step 06
Refine the facial features, capturing the likeness and expression.
- step 07
Adjust the values and edges to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · ivory black · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue
Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, a touch of red, and small amounts of burnt umber for shadows. The background is primarily black and burnt umber, with subtle variations in tone.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
- ·blending
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using too much color in the skin tones.
- →Creating a background that is too flat or uniform.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium can be added to the paint to improve flow and drying time.
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