plate no. 1639

L.E.S.

Carlos Alonso, 1967

oilExpressionismportraitfigureportraitchairfabricseatedbeard

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork, capturing a likeness with minimal detail, and creating dynamic compositions with limited color palettes. Students will also learn how to suggest form and texture through loose, gestural marks.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the basic proportions and placement of the figure, chair, and background elements.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color using thin washes, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Start building up layers of paint, using expressive brushstrokes to define the form and create texture.
step 04
Pay attention to the negative space around the figure to enhance the composition.
step 05
Introduce darker values to create depth and contrast, especially in the shadows.
step 06
Add highlights to the figure and chair to create a sense of light and form.
step 07
Refine the details of the face and hands, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust the overall balance of the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Mix various shades of skin tones by combining white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of cadmium red. Use ultramarine blue to cool down the skin tones and create shadows. Mix the yellow for the chair with white to create lighter tones.

techniques

·dry brush
·scumbling
·alla prima
·expressive brushstrokes
·color layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, resulting in a flat and lifeless painting.
→Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
→Ignoring the negative space and creating a cluttered composition.