plate no. 2365

Portrait of Hudson

Beauford Delaney, 1932

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanshirtfacehead

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing skin tones and using expressive brushstrokes to create form and texture. It also provides practice in creating a simple background that complements the subject.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and shirt.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of blue and white, creating a mottled effect.
step 03
Establish the darkest values in the hair and shadows of the face.
step 04
Begin layering in mid-tones and highlights on the face, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color.
step 05
Paint the white shirt, using variations of white, cream, and gray to create form and shadow.
step 06
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to the hair and shirt.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition and values.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of brown and ochre for the skin tones. Use blue and white for the background, and add small amounts of yellow and red to create subtle variations. Mix white with small amounts of yellow ochre, burnt umber, and blue to create the off-white color of the shirt.

techniques