plate no. 1954

Dylan Thomas

Augustus John, 1938

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfiguremanhairclothingface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and capturing form with visible brushstrokes. It also encourages simplification of details and focusing on overall shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin, hair, background, and clothing, using thin washes.
step 03
Start building up layers of paint, focusing on the shadows and highlights to define the form.
step 04
Mix subtle variations of skin tones using red, yellow, blue, and white.
step 05
Use visible brushstrokes to create texture and movement, especially in the hair and clothing.
step 06
Refine the details of the face, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson

Mix skin tones by combining white, red, yellow, and a touch of blue or umber. Use blue and red to create the background colors. Browns are achieved by mixing umber with other colors.

techniques