plate no. 5500

John Elway

LeRoy Neiman, 1999

oilImpressionismportraitfigureportraitfootball playerhelmetsportsathlete

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, expressive brushwork, and capturing likeness through abstract shapes. It's a good exercise in understanding how individual strokes contribute to the overall image.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color with broad strokes, focusing on value rather than detail.
step 03
Begin layering colors, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest.
step 04
Pay attention to the direction of the brushstrokes to suggest form and movement.
step 05
Mix colors directly on the canvas to achieve a more vibrant and spontaneous effect.
step 06
Refine the facial features and other key details, but maintain the overall impressionistic style.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments to the composition or color balance.

color palette

primary · yellow · blue · purple · orange

secondary · pink · green · white

Achieve the blues by mixing ultramarine blue with a touch of purple or black. The skin tones are a mix of pink, orange, and yellow, with touches of green and blue for shadows.

techniques

·broken color
·impasto
·alla prima
·color mixing
·expressive brushwork

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the spontaneity of the impressionistic style.
→Creating mud by over-mixing colors on the palette.
→Ignoring the importance of value in creating form.
→Not varying the direction and texture of the brushstrokes.
→Being too literal with color and not embracing the expressive possibilities of the palette.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil or acrylic medium

optional

·easel
·painting rags
·varnish

Use a variety of brush sizes to create different textures and effects. Consider using a palette knife to apply thick layers of paint for added impasto.

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