plate no. 0597

Thomas Addis Emmet

oil, canvasRomanticismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingdraperyhistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in portrait proportions, subtle value changes in skin tones, and rendering of fabrics. It's a good exercise in creating a realistic likeness and capturing a sense of depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and background.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas on the face and clothing using a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the background and drapery with broad strokes, focusing on the overall value and color.
step 04
Begin layering in the skin tones, starting with the mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Work on the clothing, adding subtle folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 07
Add the details of the watch or pendant.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson

Mix skin tones by blending white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Use black and umber for the dark clothing, adding small amounts of blue or red to adjust the tone. The background is a mix of black, umber, and crimson.

techniques

·portrait proportions
·value studies
·glazing
·blending
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the face
→Overly harsh or muddy skin tones
→Lack of depth in the clothing
→Ignoring subtle value changes

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red light, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags or paper towels