plate no. 2143

Miliziano a riposo (ritratto di Antonello Trombadori)

Renato Guttuso, 1937

oilSocial Realismportraitportraitfiguremansleepingclothinghands

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing subtle skin tones and rendering fabric folds. It also offers practice in creating a mood through color and brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, hands, and clothing.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the main areas of light and shadow with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin layering in the skin tones, using a limited palette of warm and cool colors to create depth and dimension.
step 04
Develop the details of the face, paying close attention to the subtle variations in color and value around the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Work on the clothing, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes to create texture and form.
step 06
Refine the background, blending the colors to create a soft, atmospheric effect.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments to the colors, values, and details.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna

Mix skin tones by blending white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the darker shades of the clothing.

techniques

·portraiture
·color mixing
·layering
·blending
·impasto

common pitfalls

→Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in color and value that create depth and dimension.
→Ignoring the importance of the background in setting the mood and creating a sense of atmosphere.
→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·rags