plate no. 5187
Thomas Hardy
Jacques-Émile Blanche, 1906
some experience helpful
This painting provides a good opportunity to practice portraiture and capturing likeness with loose brushstrokes. Students can learn to simplify forms and focus on essential values to create a dynamic portrait.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Prepare the canvas with a neutral ground (e.g., burnt umber wash).
- step 02
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head and shoulders.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of dark and light using thinned paint.
- step 04
Develop the facial features, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
- step 05
Add details to the clothing and background, maintaining a loose and expressive style.
- step 06
Refine the edges and add highlights to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Add the signature at the bottom right corner.
- step 08
Allow the painting to dry and then varnish for protection.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, and titanium white. Use small amounts of cadmium red light to warm up the skin tones.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brush
- ·value studies
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
- →Making the painting too dark or muddy.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) for this project. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the initial values.
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