plate no. 6340
Theodore Stack
Walter Osborne, 1890
some experience helpful
This painting offers practice in portraiture, focusing on subtle value shifts to create form and capturing likeness. Students will develop skills in blending and glazing to achieve realistic skin tones and textures.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying attention to the pose and composition.
- step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of burnt umber and raw sienna.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, clothing, and hair, focusing on the overall value structure.
- step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, using subtle variations in color to create form and depth.
- step 05
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying close attention to the light and shadow.
- step 06
Add details to the clothing and jewelry, using a smaller brush to create texture and definition.
- step 07
Glaze thin layers of color over the painting to unify the tones and create a sense of atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre
Mix skin tones using burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, and a touch of cadmium red light for warmth. Use ivory black and burnt umber for dark areas of clothing, and yellow ochre for highlights on the jewelry.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·blending
- ·glazing
- ·value study
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones and losing the subtle variations in color.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure, resulting in a flat and lifeless painting.
- →Getting lost in the details before establishing the overall form.
- →Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, ivory black, cadmium red light, yellow ochre)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
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