plate no. 2017

Washington Family

oilRomanticismportraitfiguresportraitfamilydogsarchitecturehistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing likeness and rendering fabrics with loose brushwork. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through tonal variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main figures and architectural elements.
step 02
Establish the background tones and general color scheme using thin washes.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures, focusing on accurate proportions.
step 04
Start building up the values, paying attention to the light source and shadows.
step 05
Refine the facial features, capturing the likeness of each individual.
step 06
Add details to the clothing and accessories, using expressive brushstrokes.
step 07
Paint the dogs, paying attention to their anatomy and fur texture.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, ivory black, and white. Use yellow ochre and white for highlights. Add small amounts of cadmium red to create warmer skin tones.

techniques

·portraiture
·scumbling
·glazing
·chiaroscuro
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the spontaneity of the brushwork.
→Failing to capture the correct proportions of the figures.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast in creating depth.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 18x24
·Oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, burnt sienna, cadmium red light)
·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·Flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife