plate no. 9865

The Painter Benito Soriano Murillo

oil, canvasAcademicismportraitportraitfigurechairinteriorguitarpainting

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding the use of chiaroscuro to create depth and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figure and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Develop the background, focusing on creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 04
Begin to refine the figure, paying attention to the planes of the face and the folds of the clothing.
step 05
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, to capture the likeness of the subject.
step 06
Work on the hands and other details, such as the chair, guitar, and palette.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of harmony and balance.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · Prussian blue

secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining ivory black, raw umber, and titanium white. Use Prussian blue to create the cool tones in the background and floor. Add burnt sienna and yellow ochre to warm up the skin tones.

techniques