plate no. 4641

Portrait of Howard Swanson

Beauford Delaney, 1967

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurefacemanexpressionism

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create a vibrant and textured portrait. It also encourages observation of subtle color variations in skin tones.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head and shoulders.
step 02
Block in the background with a solid layer of yellow.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face using different shades of yellow and ochre.
step 04
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to their shapes and placement.
step 05
Build up texture and depth by layering different colors and brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the edges and contours of the face and hair.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of form.
step 08
Sign the artwork.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · cadmium red

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, cadmium yellow, and titanium white. Use small amounts of burnt umber, ultramarine blue, and cadmium red to create shadows and variations in color.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·expressive brushwork
·scumbling
·layering

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the colors, which can result in a muddy appearance.
→Ignoring the underlying structure of the face.
→Using too much detail, which can detract from the expressive quality of the painting.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough.