plate no. 8591

Portrait of Lee Marvin

Zani Corrado, 2018

oilExpressionismportraitportraitmanhatcigarfaceclothing

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in portraiture, focusing on capturing likeness and using expressive brushstrokes to define form. Students will learn to mix skin tones and create depth through value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, hat, and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas with a thin wash of burnt umber.
step 03
Block in the skin tones with a mix of yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white, adjusting for highlights and shadows.
step 04
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to their placement and shape.
step 05
Paint the hat using a mix of blues, grays, and white, capturing its texture and form.
step 06
Define the clothing with dark blues and grays, using visible brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Add the cigar, paying attention to its shape and the subtle variations in color.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a cohesive and expressive portrait.

color palette

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

secondary · raw umber · ivory black

Mix skin tones by combining yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white, adjusting the ratios to create highlights and shadows. Use ultramarine blue and white for the cooler tones in the hat and background. Add raw umber and ivory black to darken colors.

techniques

·alla prima
·broken color
·scumbling
·value studies
·portrait sketching

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
→Over-blending the skin tones, resulting in a flat appearance.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value.
→Losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt sienna, titanium white, ultramarine blue, raw umber, ivory black)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Palette knife