plate no. 3299

Kindersoldat 2 (Warriors)

Daniel Sambo-Richter, 2009

oilContemporary Realismportraitportraitfiguregunfoliagechildmilitary

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate skin tone mixing and capturing likeness. The background foliage offers practice in creating depth and texture with loose brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's proportions and the placement of the gun.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of green and blue, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Establish the main values on the figure's skin, using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Paint the details of the gun, using a combination of hard and soft edges to create a sense of realism.
step 06
Add the details of the straw skirt and shoulder covering, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Refine the background foliage, adding highlights and shadows to create depth and interest.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to the figure and the gun to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · raw sienna · ivory black

Skin tones are achieved by mixing burnt umber, yellow ochre, and a touch of ultramarine blue. Greens are created by mixing ultramarine blue and cadmium yellow, adjusting the ratio for different shades.

techniques

·portraiture
·alla prima
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·value studies

common pitfalls

→Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a muddy or lifeless appearance.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, leading to a flat or unconvincing painting.
→Getting bogged down in details too early, before establishing the overall composition and values.
→Inaccurate proportions of the figure and the gun.