plate no. 5913

Bill Gibb 1983

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanfacebeardclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create form and texture. It also encourages observation of subtle color variations in skin tones.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and facial features.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of turquoise paint.
step 03
Begin applying thicker paint to the face, starting with the darkest values and gradually adding lighter tones.
step 04
Use short, directional brushstrokes to define the contours of the face and create texture.
step 05
Mix a variety of skin tones using warm and cool colors, and apply them in layers.
step 06
Pay close attention to the highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes and precise strokes.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and adjust the colors as needed.

color palette

primary · turquoise · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium orange · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, alizarin crimson, and titanium white. Use turquoise and white for the background, and add small amounts of other colors to create variation.

techniques