plate no. 3014

Boy with Suspenders

oil, canvasNew Realismportraitportraitboyfigureclothingsuspenders

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating form with visible brushstrokes. It also encourages simplification of details and capturing the essence of the subject.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the boy's head, body, and clothing.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of burnt umber and red.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, hair, red scarf, blue shirt, and green pants.
step 04
Begin refining the skin tones by layering different shades of yellow, white, and red.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the stripes on the suspenders and the folds in the fabric.
step 06
Define the facial features, paying attention to the placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Refine the brushstrokes and blend colors where necessary to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · black

Mix skin tones by combining yellow ochre, white, and a touch of red. Create shadows with burnt umber and blue. Use white to lighten colors and add highlights.

techniques

·blocking in
·layering
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the boy.
→Not paying attention to the values and creating a flat image.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, sap green, black)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife