plate no. 9852
The Green Hat
George Henry, 1906
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, and understanding how to create depth and form through subtle value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and proportions of the figure, vase, and hat onto the canvas.
- step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of neutral gray.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the figure's clothing, skin, and hair.
- step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the buttons, collar, and folds in the fabric.
- step 06
Paint the flowers and vase, focusing on capturing their form and texture.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and details.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light
secondary · viridian · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue
Mix various shades of gray by combining ivory black and titanium white. Achieve skin tones by mixing cadmium red light, yellow ochre, and titanium white, adjusting the proportions to create different hues.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·value studies
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and dimension.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 18x24
- ·Oil paints: ivory black, raw umber, titanium white, cadmium red light, viridian, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue
- ·Palette
- ·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Palette knife
- ·Rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·mahl stick
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Pre-toned canvas with a neutral color can be helpful.
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