plate no. 8034
The Reverend James Bulwer
Frederick Sandys, 1858
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as practice creating depth and texture through layering and glazing.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and background elements.
- step 02
Establish the main value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or similar neutral tone.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the background, including the wall, foliage, and architectural details.
- step 04
Begin layering the skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Paint the clothing, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
- step 06
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 07
Refine the foliage and other details in the background.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · viridian
Mix skin tones by blending white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Create the darks in the coat by mixing black with burnt umber. Use viridian and yellow ochre to achieve the green hues of the foliage.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
- →Overblending the skin tones, resulting in a flat appearance.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth in the background.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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