plate no. 3366
The Insane
Théodore Géricault, 1823
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in creating depth and form using chiaroscuro and loose brushwork.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and clothing using light pencil lines.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the main areas of light and shadow with thin washes of color.
- step 03
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the placement and proportions of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 04
Develop the skin tones by layering and blending different shades of warm and cool colors.
- step 05
Add details to the clothing and hat, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Refine the background, ensuring it complements the subject and enhances the overall composition.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors, values, and details to achieve a cohesive and expressive portrait.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
Mix skin tones by blending white, umber, sienna, and a touch of red. Use black and umber for shadows, and white and yellow ochre for highlights.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·glazing
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
- →Overworking the skin tones and losing the freshness of the brushwork.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and dimension.
- →Ignoring the importance of the background in enhancing the overall composition.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·oil paints (raw umber, titanium white, ivory black, burnt sienna, yellow ochre, cadmium red light)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grit canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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