plate no. 7983

Little boy

Istvan Nagy, 1915

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitchildboyfigureheadclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering paint, mixing skin tones, and creating form with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness and conveying a sense of character.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the boy's head and shoulders.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin, hair, shirt, and background.
step 03
Begin layering paint to build up the form, focusing on the light and shadow.
step 04
Mix and apply a range of skin tones, using warm and cool colors.
step 05
Use short, visible brushstrokes to create texture and movement.
step 06
Pay attention to the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth to capture the likeness.
step 07
Refine the edges and add highlights to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Add final details and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · raw umber

Mix skin tones by combining white, burnt sienna, yellow ochre, and small amounts of red and blue. Use raw umber and black to create shadows and darker areas.

techniques