Portrait Painting with Different Palettes

In this course you'll learn how I create a portrait painting from a live model using two different palettes and two different approaches. In Part 1, we'll explore how to paint form by form with a limited palette inspired by the Swedish painter Anders Zorn. The 2nd part will cover a more general to specific approach and an expanded palette of eight pigments.

Zorn Palette

Using a limited palette of just titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and ivory black pigments, we will discover how to achieve a surprisingly expansive range of colors through careful modulations of hue, value, and chroma. By limiting the number of pigments to the primary colors of red, yellow, and blue, we can explore color space in a controlled manner and develop strategies for translating the seemingly elusive colors we perceive in human flesh. 

Following the initial linear block-in, I proceed to rendering one area at a time, seeking to match specific color relationships and create a convincing sense of dimensionality. 

Composition, anatomy, diffuse vs. specular reflection, simultaneous contrast, optical vs. conceptual analysis, paint application, edge quality and materials will be discussed throughout as I endeavor to create a sensitive and sculptural head study of Jamaal.

Full Palette

For this setup you'll learn how to create a portrait painting from a live model using a rational, organized approach and a palette of eight pigments. The process begins with a linear block-in emphasizing accurate proportion, anatomical structure, and shape specificity.

Following the block-in, I lay in several large, general tones to create an initial impression of the light effect and local color, then proceed to rendering one area at a time to completion, seeking to evoke particular hue/value/chroma relationships and create a convincing sense of dimensionality.

Composition, anatomy, diffuse vs. specular reflection, simultaneous contrast, optical vs. conceptual analysis, paint application, edge quality and materials will be discussed throughout as I endeavor to create a sensitive and sculptural head study of Jamaal.