plate no. 7838
The Blue Mandarin Coat
Joseph DeCamp, 1922
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing subtle skin tones and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating depth through value contrast and soft edges.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's pose and proportions.
- step 02
Block in the background with a dark, neutral color.
- step 03
Establish the main light source and begin to define the light and shadow areas on the face and robe.
- step 04
Mix skin tones using a limited palette and apply them in thin layers, blending carefully.
- step 05
Develop the details of the robe, paying attention to the folds and patterns.
- step 06
Add highlights to the face, hair, and robe to create a sense of depth and dimension.
- step 07
Refine the edges and details, softening some areas and sharpening others.
- step 08
Add final touches, such as the jewelry and any other small details.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · viridian
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, and a touch of yellow ochre. The blue of the robe can be created by mixing ultramarine blue with ivory black and a touch of white. Use burnt umber and yellow ochre to create the gold trim.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·soft blending
- ·rendering fabric
common pitfalls
- →Overblending skin tones, resulting in a flat appearance.
- →Failing to establish a strong light source.
- →Getting lost in the details of the robe before establishing the overall form.
- →Using too much paint, resulting in a muddy appearance.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 filbert brush
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a smooth canvas for easier blending. Consider using a medium to thin the oil paints for glazing.
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