plate no. 3062

Portrait of a Child

oilExpressionismportraitportraitchildchairfigureindoorclothing

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice simplified portraiture and color mixing to achieve subtle skin tones. Students can also learn to create a sense of depth using color temperature and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the figure, chair, and background using light pencil lines.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: background, chair, skin, and clothing.
step 03
Begin to refine the skin tones by layering different shades of pink, yellow, and brown.
step 04
Add details to the face, paying attention to the placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Define the contours of the figure and chair with darker values.
step 06
Add highlights to create a sense of form and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details of the clothing and hair.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

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

secondary · burnt umber · sap green

Mix various shades of pink for the skin and clothing by combining white, red, and a touch of yellow. Use blue and green to create the background, adjusting the proportions to achieve the desired hue.

techniques