plate no. 5759

Thomas Ferens

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguremansuitcolumnformal wear

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 how to depict fabric and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Establish the background, focusing on creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details of the hands and the letter.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of red. Create the suit color by mixing black, umber, and a hint of blue.

techniques

·portrait painting
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·blending

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Using colors that are too saturated.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, burnt sienna, titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·palette
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette knife
·rags