plate no. 9721

Black boy

oilRealismportraitportraitchildfigureclothingface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing skin tones and subtle light variations. It also provides practice in creating soft edges and a sense of depth through layering.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the boy's head, shoulders, and clothing.
step 02
Establish the background with soft, blended tones of light blue and white.
step 03
Block in the darkest values of the skin using a dark brown or black.
step 04
Gradually build up the mid-tones and highlights on the face, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color.
step 05
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, focusing on capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 06
Paint the clothing with soft, muted tones of white and gray, suggesting folds and shadows.
step 07
Refine the edges of the figure and blend the transitions between light and shadow.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing raw umber, burnt sienna, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and white for the background. Add small amounts of yellow ochre for warmth.

techniques