plate no. 7560

Boy wearing suspenders

Spyros Papaloukas, 1925

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigureboyclothingchairinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify forms and use visible brushstrokes to create texture and volume. It also provides practice in mixing a limited palette of colors to achieve a cohesive and harmonious result.

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 boy, chair, and background.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Refine the shapes and values, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 04
Add details to the face, clothing, and background, using visible brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Mix and apply colors for the skin tones, using a limited palette and focusing on subtle variations.
step 06
Develop the details of the shirt pattern and suspenders.
step 07
Refine the background and add any final touches.
step 08
Let the painting dry and add a varnish if desired.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones by combining white, raw umber, and small amounts of red and blue. Use ultramarine blue and raw umber to create the darker tones in the shirt. Add white to these mixes to create lighter values.

techniques