plate no. 5364

Präsident

Daniel Sambo-Richter, 2018

oilContemporary Realismportraitportraitfigurefacemanhairtie

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering paint, capturing likeness with expressive brushstrokes, and understanding color temperature variations in skin tones. It also encourages a looser, more painterly approach to portraiture.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the face and head.
step 02
Block in the background with a mid-tone gray.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face using thin washes of color.
step 04
Begin layering thicker paint, focusing on capturing the planes of the face with distinct brushstrokes.
step 05
Mix and apply colors to represent the subtle variations in skin tone, paying attention to warm and cool areas.
step 06
Define the features (eyes, nose, mouth) with careful attention to detail and expression.
step 07
Add highlights and refine the edges of the forms.
step 08
Adjust the overall color balance and contrast to achieve a cohesive and expressive portrait.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · ivory black · viridian green

Mix various shades of skin tone by combining white, umber, red, and yellow ochre. Use small amounts of black and green to create cooler shadows and subtle color variations.

techniques