plate no. 7976

Sitting boy

oilNeoclassicismportraitfigureportraitboyinteriorwindowchest

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in creating form with limited values and using line work to define edges. Students will learn to create a sense of depth and volume using subtle shading and washes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and chest.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the painting, such as the shadow behind the figure and the details on the chest.
step 03
Apply a light wash of diluted brown to the entire background and figure, creating a base tone.
step 04
Build up the values gradually, adding layers of diluted brown to create shadows and highlights.
step 05
Use a fine brush to add details such as the facial features, clothing folds, and the texture of the chest.
step 06
Define the edges of the figure and objects with darker lines, adding definition and clarity.
step 07
Add subtle washes of color to create variations in tone and add depth to the painting.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed to achieve a balanced and harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna

secondary · ivory black · titanium white

Mix burnt umber with varying amounts of water to create different shades of brown. Add a touch of ivory black to deepen the shadows and titanium white to lighten the highlights.

techniques

·washes
·dry brushing
·hatching
·value studies
·line drawing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of light and shadow.
→Using too much color and creating a muddy or unnatural effect.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure and creating a flat or lifeless painting.
→Not paying attention to proportions and creating an inaccurate or distorted figure.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·burnt umber watercolor paint
·raw sienna watercolor paint
·round brush size 4
·round brush size 0
·palette
·water container
·paper towels

optional

·ruler
·kneaded eraser
·masking fluid

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and ensure that the colors blend smoothly. Experiment with different dilutions of paint to achieve a range of values.

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