plate no. 5806

Portrait of Eduardo Santonja Rosales

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigureheadmanhairface

some experience helpful

Recreating this drawing will help students develop skills in portrait proportions, shading techniques, and capturing likeness with limited color palette. It also emphasizes the importance of line work and tonal values to create depth and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shape of the head and facial features, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Establish the main light source and map out areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Begin shading the darker areas, gradually building up tone with cross-hatching or stippling.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add details to the hair, using varying line weights to create texture.
step 06
Soften edges and blend tones where necessary to create a smooth transition.
step 07
Add subtle highlights to enhance the form and create a sense of depth.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and value range.

color palette

primary · sepia · raw umber

secondary · ivory black · cream

Achieve the various shades by diluting the sepia or raw umber with water or blending with cream for lighter tones. Use ivory black sparingly for the darkest shadows.

techniques