plate no. 5894

Portrait of Enzo Bearzot

Zani Corrado, 2018

oilExpressionismportraitportraitmanfaceprofileexpression

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and expression through careful observation of values and color variations. It will also improve their understanding of layering and blending techniques to create depth and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the portrait, focusing on the proportions and placement of the facial features.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, using thin washes of paint to establish the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin to build up the form by layering darker and lighter tones, paying close attention to the shadows and highlights.
step 04
Refine the details of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using smaller brushes and more precise strokes.
step 05
Add the background colors, blending them smoothly to create a sense of depth.
step 06
Work on the clothing details, paying attention to the folds and textures.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to enhance the realism and expression of the portrait.
step 08
Let the painting dry completely and apply a varnish to protect the surface.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · sap green

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, and titanium white in varying proportions. Use small amounts of cadmium red and sap green to add warmth and depth to the shadows.

techniques

·layering
·blending
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·value study

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the initial layers.
→Failing to accurately capture the proportions and likeness of the subject.
→Using too much paint and creating a muddy or overworked effect.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin tones.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, sap green)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags or paper towels