plate no. 5537

Portrait of Mario Monicelli

Zani Corrado, 2018

temperaExpressionismportraitportraitfigureglassesmanbeard

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in value painting, capturing likeness, and using expressive brushstrokes to define form. It also provides practice in simplifying complex facial features into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the portrait, focusing on proportions and placement of features.
step 02
Block in the main areas of light and shadow with diluted gray washes.
step 03
Gradually build up the darker values, defining the contours of the face and clothing.
step 04
Add highlights with white paint, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 05
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, using smaller brushstrokes.
step 06
Paint the glasses, using black and gray to create the illusion of transparency.
step 07
Add texture to the hair and beard with dry brush techniques.
step 08
Adjust the overall values and contrast to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · payne's gray

Mix various shades of gray by combining black and white in different ratios. Use Payne's gray for cooler shadows.

techniques

·dry brush
·value painting
·scumbling
·layering
·expressive brushwork

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, resulting in a flat and lifeless portrait.
→Getting the proportions wrong, leading to an inaccurate likeness.
→Using too much white paint, making the highlights appear chalky.