plate no. 3737

Dr. John Sappington

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)portraitportraitfiguremanclothinghistoricalface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones. It also provides practice in creating subtle value gradations and understanding light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and clothing.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas with a thin wash of color.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones, focusing on accurate color mixing and subtle value changes.
step 04
Define the features of the face, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Paint the hair, using short, broken strokes to create texture and volume.
step 06
Render the clothing, simplifying the forms and focusing on the overall shape and value.
step 07
Refine the background, ensuring it complements the figure and doesn't distract from the focal point.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and blue. Use black and white to create the dark clothing and background. Add small amounts of red to the cheeks for a healthy glow.

techniques