plate no. 0366
Face from the Past
George Stefanescu, 1976
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impasto techniques and color mixing for skin tones. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and expression through bold brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the face, hat, and shoulders using light pencil lines.
- step 02
Apply a thin wash of burnt sienna or raw umber to establish the overall warm tone of the background and skin.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, hat, and clothing, focusing on the general values.
- step 04
Begin building up the impasto texture with thick paint, using short, directional brushstrokes.
- step 05
Mix and apply a range of skin tones, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
- step 06
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, using smaller brushes and more precise strokes.
- step 07
Refine the shapes and edges of the hat, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition, ensuring that the focal point is the face.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white · cadmium red
secondary · ultramarine blue · sap green · alizarin crimson
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and small amounts of red and blue. Use green and blue to darken shadows in the hat and background. Mix red and white for the pinkish tones in the shirt.
techniques
- ·impasto
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·directional brushstrokes
common pitfalls
- →Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Not using enough paint to create the desired impasto texture.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in skin tone.
- →Losing the overall structure of the face in the details.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt sienna, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue)
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium can be added to the paint to improve flow and drying time.
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