plate no. 6169

The Little Irishman

Robert Henri, 1913

oilAmerican Realismportraitportraitboyfigureclothingfacehair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and using expressive brushstrokes to convey form and light. It also provides practice in mixing skin tones and creating a sense of depth with a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the boy's figure and facial features using a light pencil.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the darkest and lightest areas with thin washes of paint.
step 03
Mix the base skin tone using a combination of white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red, and apply it to the face and hands.
step 04
Add shadows and highlights to the face, paying attention to the planes and contours of the features.
step 05
Paint the clothing, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes to create texture and form.
step 06
Refine the background, using loose brushstrokes to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add final details, such as the highlights in the eyes and the subtle variations in skin tone.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments to balance the values and colors.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black

Mix skin tones by blending yellow ochre, white, and a touch of red. Use burnt umber and black to create shadows and depth. Add small amounts of blue to neutralize the yellows and reds.

techniques

·blocking in
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·color mixing
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
→Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
→Getting the proportions wrong and distorting the likeness.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, ivory black)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·rags