plate no. 3133
Young Anthony
Robert Henri, 1928
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing likeness and using expressive brushstrokes to define form. It also provides practice in creating a focal point through value contrast and color temperature.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the boy, ball, and background.
- step 02
Establish the darkest and lightest values with thin washes of paint.
- step 03
Block in the main color areas for the skin, hair, clothing, and ball.
- step 04
Begin building up layers of paint, focusing on the light and shadow patterns.
- step 05
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
- step 06
Add details to the clothing and ball, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes.
- step 07
Adjust the background to create depth and contrast.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of realism.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red light
secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · ivory black
Mix various shades of skin tones using white, red, and umber. Use blue and umber to create the dark background. Add yellow ochre to red for highlights on the ball.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·expressive brushwork
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending the colors, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong, leading to an inaccurate likeness.
- →Failing to establish a strong value contrast, making the painting look muddy.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in color temperature, resulting in a lack of depth.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·oil paints (burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red light, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, ivory black)
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-tooth canvas for better paint adhesion. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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