plate no. 7431

Cuthbert Aikman Simpson

Graham Sutherland, 1967

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanglasseshandsdark background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering form with expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere using a limited color palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark background and the general areas of light and shadow on the figure.
step 03
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the shapes and angles of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 04
Develop the form of the hands, using a combination of light and shadow to create a sense of volume.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the collar and lapels of the jacket.
step 06
Refine the edges of the figure, softening some and sharpening others to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to the face and hands.
step 08
Adjust the overall color and value balance of the painting to create a cohesive and expressive image.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining black, white, and umber. Use small amounts of red and yellow to create subtle variations in skin tone.

techniques

·blocking in
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·glazing
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and lifeless image.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, leading to a flat and unconvincing form.
→Getting lost in the details of the face and neglecting the overall composition.
→Not paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value, resulting in a monotonous image.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·ivory black oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·raw umber oil paint
·#4 round brush
·#8 filbert brush
·palette
·linseed oil

optional

·palette knife
·medium (e.g., Liquin)
·varnish

Use a canvas with a smooth surface to allow for subtle blending and glazing. Consider toning the canvas with a thin wash of raw umber before beginning to paint.

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