plate no. 8699

Timothy Matlack

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfiguremandeskwritingclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as understanding subtle value changes to create form. It also provides practice in rendering realistic textures, such as fabric and skin.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and the composition on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of burnt umber and raw sienna.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, clothing, and hands, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle shifts in value and color to create form.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and highlights, using a combination of blending and layering.
step 06
Work on the hands, paying attention to the bone structure and the way light interacts with the skin.
step 07
Add the details of the writing materials on the desk, including the pen and paper.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and colors as needed to create a cohesive and realistic image.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · viridian

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, cadmium red light, and a touch of raw umber. Achieve the clothing color by mixing raw sienna with a touch of raw umber and white. Use viridian and raw umber for the desk and books.

techniques

·underpainting
·glazing
·scumbling
·blending
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions in the initial sketch can lead to a distorted likeness.
→Over-blending can result in a flat and lifeless painting.
→Ignoring subtle value changes can make the form appear unrealistic.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing can create a harsh and unnatural look.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (raw umber, raw sienna, titanium white, ivory black, yellow ochre, cadmium red light, viridian)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags