plate no. 6925

My tired son Mladen

Alfred Krupa, 1975

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurechairsweatermanbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice portrait proportions and mixing skin tones, as well as creating a sense of depth through layering and subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair using a light pencil.
step 02
Block in the background with thin washes of burnt sienna and umber.
step 03
Establish the main skin tones with a mix of white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red.
step 04
Paint the sweater with a light gray, adding subtle shadows and highlights.
step 05
Define the features of the face, paying attention to the shapes of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add the yellow collar, using a brighter yellow and adding shadows with burnt sienna.
step 07
Refine the details of the hair, using a mix of browns and blacks.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium yellow · ivory black · alizarin crimson

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use burnt sienna and umber for shadows and background. Create grays by mixing white and black with a touch of brown.

techniques

·blocking in
·layering
·blending
·scumbling
·portrait proportions

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
→Over-blending the colors, resulting in a muddy look.
→Not creating enough contrast between light and shadow.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin tones.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (burnt sienna, yellow ochre, titanium white, raw umber, ivory black, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags