plate no. 1842

Portrait of a young aviator

Yiannis Tsaroychis, 1954

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingfacehair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to use value and color temperature to create form and dimension. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness with expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic proportions and placement of the figure on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the large shapes of the background, clothing, and skin tones with thin washes of color.
step 03
Establish the darkest and lightest values to create a sense of depth and form.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the shapes of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add details to the clothing and background, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Mix and apply subtle color variations to the skin tones to create a more realistic and nuanced effect.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the figure.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and details as needed.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining ivory black, raw umber, and titanium white. Use small amounts of cadmium red light to warm up the skin tones. Add ultramarine blue to create cooler shadows.

techniques

·blocking in
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·color temperature variation
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, leading to a lack of depth.
→Getting bogged down in details too early in the painting process.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin tones.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, burnt sienna, titanium white, ultramarine blue, cadmium red light)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits