plate no. 3890

Thomas Hampson Jones

William Logsdail, 1900

oilImpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanbeardclothinghand

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and using expressive brushstrokes to create texture and form. It also provides practice in working with a limited color palette and creating depth through value contrast.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hand.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark background and the main areas of light and shadow on the face and clothing.
step 03
Begin layering in the local colors, starting with the darkest areas and gradually working towards the lighter tones.
step 04
Use loose, expressive brushstrokes to create texture and suggest details, rather than rendering them precisely.
step 05
Pay close attention to the subtle shifts in color and value on the face, particularly around the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Refine the edges and contours of the figure, softening some areas and sharpening others to create a sense of depth and form.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the highlights in the eyes and the texture of the beard.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments to the values, colors, or edges.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · raw sienna · cadmium red

secondary · titanium white · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, and titanium white. Use cadmium red sparingly to add warmth to the skin tones.

techniques

·dry brushing
·scumbling
·alla prima
·chiaroscuro
·broken color

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality of the original painting.
→Failing to accurately capture the proportions and likeness of the figure.
→Creating muddy or dull colors by overmixing the paints.
→Ignoring the subtle shifts in value and color that create depth and form.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (ivory black, burnt umber, raw sienna, cadmium red, titanium white, ultramarine blue)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags