plate no. 4882

Portrait of a Bearded Young Man Reading

Beauford Delaney, 1972

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurebooklandscapeskytrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors with visible brushstrokes and simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. It also encourages experimentation with color mixing to achieve the desired hues and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, book, and background.
step 02
Block in the main colors of the background (sky, landscape) using broad brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the base colors for the figure's skin, hair, and clothing.
step 04
Begin layering colors on the face and hair to create depth and texture.
step 05
Add details to the shirt and book, focusing on the interplay of light and shadow.
step 06
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in color and tone.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to the figure and book.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · cadmium red · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · raw umber

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows. Achieve skin tones by blending red, yellow, and white, with small amounts of blue or green for shadows. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·scumbling
·color layering
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Over-blending colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Focusing too much on detail too early in the process.
→Neglecting the background and its relationship to the figure.
→Not using enough paint to create texture.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (cerulean blue, yellow ochre, cadmium red, titanium white, viridian green, raw umber)
·palette
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags