plate no. 9051
Thomas Sully
Rembrandt Peale, 1859
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle color mixing for skin tones, and rendering of fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating a smooth, blended finish.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
5
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure, paying attention to proportions and placement on the canvas.
- step 02
Block in the background with a thin, even layer of muted green-brown.
- step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face and clothing with broad strokes.
- step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to refine the skin tones, focusing on subtle transitions.
- step 05
Add details to the hair, using small brushstrokes to create the curls and highlights.
- step 06
Paint the clothing, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
- step 07
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre · burnt umber
secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · raw sienna
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use burnt umber and black for shadows, and add blue to darken the background.
techniques
- ·portrait sketching
- ·color mixing for skin tones
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·rendering fabric
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions
- →muddy skin tones
- →overblending
- →lack of contrast
- →neglecting subtle color variations
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
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