plate no. 7555

Raymond Williams (1921–1988)

John Bratby, 1980

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurefacemanheadeyes

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create form and capture a likeness with a limited palette. It also encourages observation of subtle color variations in skin tones.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic proportions and placement of facial features.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of blue and white.
step 03
Establish the darkest values in the hair, eyes, and shadows with burnt umber and black.
step 04
Begin layering in the mid-tones using a mix of browns, reds, and yellows, focusing on the planes of the face.
step 05
Add highlights with lighter shades of yellow, white, and pink, using thick, visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to the shapes and angles.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to create a sense of depth and form.
step 08
Add final touches and details to capture the likeness of the subject.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium yellow · black

Mix browns with burnt umber and small amounts of blue or red. Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow, and a touch of blue or green. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·expressive brushwork
·alla prima
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Failing to capture the correct proportions of the face.
→Using too much detail, losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin tones.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow, black)
·assorted flat brushes (various sizes)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags