plate no. 3449

Portrait of Fletcher

William H. Johnson, 1939

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurechairmanclothingexpressionism

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing, and expressive brushwork. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness while simplifying forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair using light pencil lines.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin, clothing, background, and chair.
step 03
Start defining the facial features, paying attention to the shapes of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, including the jacket, shirt, and tie.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Refine the background and chair, using loose brushstrokes and subtle color variations.
step 07
Add final details and adjust colors as needed.
step 08
Sign your name.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · ivory black

Mix browns and skin tones by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, and white. Achieve the jacket color by mixing ultramarine blue and viridian green. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques