plate no. 6003
Soloist at Wanamaker's
Max Weber, 1910
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand color relationships and how to use simplified forms to create a portrait. It will also help them practice layering colors and creating depth with limited values.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, hat, and background.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color with thin washes, starting with the background.
- step 03
Begin layering colors on the face, neck, and arms, focusing on the transitions between colors.
- step 04
Add the darker tones to define the shadows and contours of the figure.
- step 05
Refine the details of the hat and dress, paying attention to the subtle color variations.
- step 06
Add the details of the hands, using a combination of red, green, and brown tones.
- step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to match the original painting.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights.
color palette
primary · Prussian blue · Cadmium red · Yellow ochre
secondary · Viridian green · Burnt umber
Mix red and green to create the flesh tones, and use blue and umber for the dark areas. Vary the proportions to achieve the subtle color variations.
techniques
- ·Color layering
- ·Simplified form
- ·Impasto
- ·Color mixing
- ·Blocking in
common pitfalls
- →Overblending the colors, which can result in a muddy appearance.
- →Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle color variations.
- →Using too much detail, which can detract from the overall impression.
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 12x16
- ·Acrylic paints
- ·Round brushes (#2, #6, #8)
- ·Palette
- ·Water container
- ·Paper towels
- ·Graphite pencil
optional
- ·Palette knife
- ·Easel
- ·Retarder medium
Use a limited palette of colors to simplify the mixing process. Acrylics are recommended for faster drying time.
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