plate no. 5881

Portrait of a Man from the Street

Vladimir Davidia, 2022

oilExpressionismportraitportraitmanfigureexpressionismheadclothing

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create a mood. Students can learn to simplify forms and focus on capturing the essence of the subject rather than precise realism.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, shoulders, and facial features using a thin wash of burnt umber.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark green, varying the tone slightly.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face using a mix of red, green, and white.
step 04
Add the red tones to the ears, nose, and lips, blending slightly into the surrounding areas.
step 05
Define the clothing with broad strokes of green, creating vertical stripes.
step 06
Refine the facial features with smaller, more deliberate brushstrokes, focusing on the eyes and mouth.
step 07
Add small touches of orange and yellow to the face to create highlights and warmth.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition, adding final details and refining the edges.

color palette

primary · viridian green · cadmium red · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium yellow · orange

Mix greens by combining viridian green with burnt umber and white. Achieve skin tones by blending red, green, white, and small amounts of yellow or orange.

techniques