plate no. 1343

Boy in a Yellow Jacket

L. S. Lowry, 1935

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigureboyjacketclothingface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and expression using a limited color palette and visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in creating depth and form through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the boy's head, shoulders, and clothing on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the background color with a dark, muted blue-gray, leaving the figure's outline visible.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face with a light flesh tone, paying attention to the planes and shadows.
step 04
Apply the base color for the jacket, a muted yellow-brown, using visible brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Refine the facial features, adding details to the eyes, nose, and mouth with darker and lighter tones.
step 06
Develop the shadows and highlights on the jacket to give it form and dimension.
step 07
Add the white collar and black tie, carefully observing their shapes and values.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition, ensuring that the values and colors are balanced.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix raw umber and white for the skin tones, varying the ratio for highlights and shadows. Use yellow ochre and raw umber for the jacket, adding small amounts of white to lighten. Create the background by mixing ultramarine blue and raw umber.

techniques