plate no. 4573
Sir Norman Washington Manley, Prime Minister of Jamaica
Barrington Watson, 1900
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering form with light and shadow. It also provides practice in creating subtle color variations and visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
- step 03
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow.
- step 04
Develop the details of the suit and tie, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes.
- step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 06
Blend edges where necessary to create smooth transitions.
- step 07
Add final details, such as the highlights in the eyes and the texture of the hair.
- step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · ivory black · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · 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 adjust the temperature of these colors.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin tones.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 16x20
- ·Ivory black oil paint
- ·Burnt umber oil paint
- ·Raw sienna oil paint
- ·Titanium white oil paint
- ·Cadmium red oil paint
- ·Ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·Palette knife
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Medium gloss
Use a medium-grit canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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