plate no. 6492
The German
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and emotion with expressive brushstrokes, and in creating depth through layering and value contrast.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
- step 02
Establish the darkest values in the background and the figure's coat.
- step 03
Block in the mid-tones of the face, helmet, and snow.
- step 04
Begin layering lighter values to define the facial features and the helmet's texture.
- step 05
Add details to the uniform, focusing on the collar and buttons.
- step 06
Refine the background trees and snow with loose, expressive brushstrokes.
- step 07
Add highlights to the face and helmet to create a sense of light and dimension.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and details to achieve the desired effect.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white · burnt umber
secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre
Mix blacks and umbers with small amounts of blue or red to create subtle variations in tone. Use white to create highlights and lighter values, and mix red with umber for the collar.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·value layering
- ·limited palette
- ·portrait sketching
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the face, losing the expressive brushstrokes.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
- →Not capturing the likeness of the figure.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·turpentine
- ·retouch varnish
Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for expressive brushstrokes. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base value.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
