plate no. 9502

The Latest News

oilBiedermeiergenre paintingfiguremannewspaperclothingumbrelladoorway

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing realistic skin tones and textures, as well as rendering clothing folds and details. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of key elements like the head, hands, and newspaper.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark brown and grey tones, paying attention to the subtle variations in value.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, starting with the jacket and hat, using a limited palette of browns and creams.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness of the subject and the subtle nuances of expression.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the folds and wrinkles in the jacket, and the texture of the hat.
step 06
Paint the newspaper, paying attention to the way the light reflects off the paper and the subtle variations in tone.
step 07
Add the umbrella and other accessories, such as the glasses and the handkerchief in the pocket.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors, ensuring that the painting has a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · viridian

Mix various shades of brown by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and ivory black. Use titanium white to lighten these colors and create highlights. Add small amounts of cadmium red or yellow ochre to warm up the browns, and viridian to create cooler shadows.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·portraiture
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of harmony.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, ivory black, yellow ochre, cadmium red, viridian)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·rags