plate no. 7925

Juhani Siljo

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguremansuithairface

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's a good exercise in understanding light and shadow on a human face.

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 head, shoulders, and facial features.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin, even layer of a warm neutral color.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face using a limited palette of earth tones and white.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the shapes of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add details to the hair, using short, directional brushstrokes to suggest texture and volume.
step 06
Paint the suit and tie, focusing on the folds and shadows in the fabric.
step 07
Refine the edges and details throughout the painting, adding highlights and shadows as needed.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors to achieve a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of burnt umber. Use ultramarine blue and black to create the dark tones of the suit.

techniques