plate no. 5605

Kenneth Clark, Baron Clark

Graham Sutherland, 1964

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanprofileclothingface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and capturing likeness through expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in creating depth and form using subtle value changes.

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 and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin, even wash.
step 03
Block in the major areas of light and shadow on the face and neck using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the angles and curves of the nose, mouth, and eyes.
step 05
Add details to the hair, clothing, and background, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Introduce subtle color variations to the skin tones to create a more lifelike appearance.
step 07
Soften edges and blend areas as needed to create a sense of depth and form.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the portrait.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of red. Use raw umber and ultramarine blue for shadows and darker areas. Add small amounts of red and blue to the skin tone mix for subtle variations.

techniques

·alla prima
·broken color
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Over-blending, which can result in a flat, lifeless appearance.
→Incorrect proportions, which can distort the likeness of the subject.
→Ignoring subtle value changes, which can flatten the form.
→Using too much detail too early, which can make the painting look overworked.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 12x16
·Oil paints (raw umber, burnt sienna, titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red light, ultramarine blue, ivory black)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Palette knife