plate no. 3047

A Boy

Augustus John, 1915

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigureboyclothingfacehair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering form with visible brushstrokes. It's also a good exercise in limited color palettes and subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the boy on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of neutral gray-brown.
step 03
Establish the main light and shadow areas on the face and clothing using mid-tones.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying attention to the shapes of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the details of the hair, using short, directional brushstrokes.
step 06
Work on the clothing, capturing the folds and highlights with thicker paint.
step 07
Refine the edges and details throughout the painting, adjusting values and colors as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of skin tones using white, umber, sienna, and a touch of red. Use blue to cool down shadows. The shirt is mostly white with subtle gray and brown undertones.

techniques