plate no. 7660

Portrait of Alvaro Gil Varela

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigurehattiebookclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering form with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in mixing muted colors and creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes.

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 and proportions of the figure, hat, and book.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of dark blue and gray.
step 03
Establish the main value ranges for the skin tones, clothing, and hat.
step 04
Begin adding details to the face, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color and value.
step 05
Develop the form of the clothing and tie, using visible brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Refine the details of the book, capturing its shape and color.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of unity and depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create visual interest.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · raw umber · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · ivory black

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of blue. Achieve the muted blues and grays by mixing ultramarine blue with raw umber and white.

techniques