plate no. 8217

William Hawker Hughes

Solomon Joseph Solomon, 1914

oilAcademicismportraitportraitfigurebookchairbeardclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding how to create depth and form using value and color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and proportions of the figure and chair.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 03
Focus on establishing the dark background and the overall tonal range of the painting.
step 04
Start building up the skin tones, paying close attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Develop the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 06
Add details to the clothing and book, focusing on capturing the textures and folds.
step 07
Refine the edges and transitions between different areas of the painting.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Achieve darks by mixing burnt umber and ivory black. Use small amounts of blue to cool down shadows.

techniques