plate no. 8187

Richard Gibbs

Alice Neel, 1954

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremaninteriorchairshadows

some experience helpful

This painting allows students to practice portraiture with expressive brushstrokes and explore color mixing to achieve realistic skin tones. Students will develop skills in capturing likeness and creating depth using value and color.

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 and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin to refine the skin tones, mixing colors to match the subtle variations in light and shadow.
step 04
Add details to the face, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the background, using loose brushstrokes to suggest the interior space.
step 06
Refine the edges and contours of the figure, using both hard and soft edges.
step 07
Add final details, such as the hair and clothing, using expressive brushstrokes.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, cadmium red, and titanium white, with small amounts of burnt umber and ultramarine blue for shadows. Use white and black to create the greys in the background.

techniques