plate no. 4709
The composer Josef Matthias Hauer
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones. It also provides practice in painting architectural details and creating a sense of depth.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the figure and the Eiffel Tower, paying attention to proportions.
- step 02
Establish the background with a light, neutral tone.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, hair, and clothing.
- step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and subtle value changes.
- step 05
Develop the details of the suit, including the folds and shadows.
- step 06
Paint the Eiffel Tower, simplifying the structure and focusing on the overall pattern.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Refine the edges and details, paying attention to the overall composition.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber · cadmium red light
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna
Mix skin tones by blending white, red, umber, and a touch of yellow. Achieve the dark suit color by mixing black with ultramarine blue. Use a limited palette to create harmony.
techniques
- ·portrait painting
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·linear perspective
- ·value study
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions in the initial sketch.
- →Overworking the skin tones.
- →Losing the structure of the Eiffel Tower.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Ignoring the subtle value changes.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·painting easel
- ·color chart
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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