plate no. 4467

Male Portrait

Victor Zaretsky, 1960

oilExpressionismportraitportraitmalefaceheadhairfigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and expressive brushwork. It also encourages observation of light and shadow to define form.

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 of the head, neck, and shoulders, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of yellow ochre and burnt sienna.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face using a limited palette of browns, yellows, and reds.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the shapes of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add highlights to the forehead, cheekbones, and bridge of the nose to create depth.
step 06
Develop the hair with short, choppy brushstrokes, using grays and whites to indicate highlights.
step 07
Refine the details and add final touches to the clothing and background.
step 08
Allow to dry and add a varnish for protection.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and yellow for the skin tones, using red for warmth and blue/black for shadows. Use white to lighten the colors for highlights.

techniques