plate no. 5665

Portrait of A.G

Panayiotis Tetsis, 1954

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigurechairred shirtdark hairblue background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and capturing the essence of a subject with simplified forms and visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth through color and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, chair, and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: the red shirt, black skirt, blue background, and skin tones.
step 03
Begin refining the shapes and values of the face, paying attention to the planes of the face and the light source.
step 04
Add details to the hair, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest texture.
step 05
Work on the chair, using a limited palette of browns and tans to create a sense of depth and form.
step 06
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in color to create interest.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to the figure and chair.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments to the composition, color, or value.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Achieve the darks by mixing ultramarine blue and burnt umber. Vary the red by adding touches of yellow ochre or burnt umber.

techniques