plate no. 1808
The hunter
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as understanding how to create depth through subtle value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, hat, and gun on the canvas.
- step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted tone.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, clothing, and hat, focusing on accurate values.
- step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and textures.
- step 06
Paint the gun, focusing on its metallic appearance and reflections.
- step 07
Add the subtle details of the hat and feather.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue
Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, and small amounts of cadmium red light and ultramarine blue. Use ivory black and burnt umber to create the dark background and shadows.
techniques
- ·portrait sketching
- ·value studies
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of the facial features.
- →Overly harsh or flat skin tones.
- →Neglecting the subtle value changes that create depth.
- →Getting the gun's metallic sheen wrong.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, ivory black, yellow ochre, cadmium red light, ultramarine blue)
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to improve the flow and blending of the paints.
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