plate no. 0546

Portrait of Pál Szinyei Merse

Karoly Ferenczy, 1910

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitportraitmanbeardfigureclothingbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating depth through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and conveying a sense of character.

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, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hand.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of green and brown.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face with broad strokes, focusing on the shadows and highlights.
step 04
Develop the beard and hair, paying attention to the direction of the strokes and the variations in color.
step 05
Paint the clothing with simple shapes and values, suggesting the folds and textures.
step 06
Refine the facial features, adding details to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the portrait.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · viridian green · raw sienna · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Achieve the background green by mixing viridian green with yellow ochre and white. Darken colors with ivory black and lighten with titanium white.

techniques