plate no. 4297

Portret Ojca

Stanisław Wyspiański, 1900

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanbeardfaceclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and texture using visible brushstrokes. It also encourages exploration of limited color palettes to create depth and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and beard.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with a diluted wash of a neutral color like burnt umber.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones, using a mix of browns, reds, and whites, focusing on the planes of the face.
step 04
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying close attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Work on the beard, using short, broken strokes to create texture and volume.
step 06
Paint the clothing with bold, simple strokes, using a dark color like black or dark brown.
step 07
Create the background with a textured application of blues and grays.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to refine the form and create a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · raw sienna

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black for the background. Mix small amounts of cadmium red light into the skin tone mix for warmth.

techniques