plate no. 9197

What of the War

oilImpressionismportraitportraitmannewspaperbeardclothingfigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing likeness and expression, as well as understanding and applying chiaroscuro to create depth and form. It also provides practice in rendering textures like hair and fabric.

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 to establish the basic proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Establish the darkest darks and lightest lights to create a sense of depth.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Work on the details of the beard and hair, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Develop the folds and shadows in the clothing and newspaper.
step 07
Soften edges and blend colors as needed to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining the primary colors. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Add small amounts of blue or sienna to adjust the temperature of the grays and browns.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·portraiture
·blending
·layering
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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