plate no. 5935

Kenneth Dolittle

Alice Neel, 1931

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitmanclothinghatfigurewalking stick

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and expression through simplified forms and expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve nuanced skin tones and fabric textures.

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 figure, focusing on the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and then the main areas of the figure's clothing and skin.
step 03
Refine the shapes and proportions of the face, paying attention to the unique features of the subject.
step 04
Mix and apply the various skin tones, using subtle variations to create depth and form.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the plaid pattern on the jacket and the texture of the hat.
step 06
Define the shadows and highlights to create a sense of volume and dimension.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the eyes, mustache, and the walking stick.
step 08
Review and adjust the painting as needed, paying attention to the overall balance and harmony.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and ivory black. Achieve skin tones by blending white, sienna, and small amounts of red and blue. Use viridian green and ultramarine blue to create muted greens for the vest.

techniques

·blocking in
·color mixing
·expressive brushstrokes
·scumbling
·simplified forms

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Getting the proportions of the face wrong, leading to an inaccurate likeness.
→Using colors that are too saturated and not blending them sufficiently.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in skin tone and creating a flat, lifeless effect.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, ivory black, cadmium red, viridian green, ultramarine blue)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits

optional