plate no. 2400

Portrait of Ilya Bolotowsky

William H. Johnson, 1930

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingfaceexpressionism

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create mood and character. It also encourages exploration of non-realistic portraiture.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and major features.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and then the figure's clothing.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones using a mix of warm and cool colors, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Begin to define the facial features, using expressive brushstrokes to capture the character of the subject.
step 05
Add details to the clothing and background, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture and interest.
step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final touches and details to complete the painting.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · titanium white

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt sienna, yellow ochre, and a touch of cadmium red. Darken colors with ultramarine blue and lighten with titanium white.

techniques