plate no. 2580

Hlava chlapce

Josef Capek, 1916

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigureheadprofileclothingabstract

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice smooth blending techniques and understand subtle value changes to create form. It also encourages simplification of facial features and expressive use of color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the head, neck, and shoulders, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with a light, neutral tone.
step 03
Apply a base layer of white to the face and neck, leaving room for shadows.
step 04
Mix a light brown/grey for the shadow areas on the head and neck, blending smoothly.
step 05
Paint the blue clothing, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 06
Add details to the face, such as the eye, eyebrow, and lips, using small brushes.
step 07
Create the textured background elements with thick paint and deliberate brushstrokes.
step 08
Refine the edges and details, ensuring smooth transitions between colors and values.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · raw umber

secondary · cadmium red light · ivory black

Mix white with small amounts of raw umber to create the skin tones. Use ultramarine blue with white for the clothing and a touch of black for shadows. A tiny amount of cadmium red light is used for the lips and eye.

techniques