plate no. 9447

Ritratto di ragazzo (Ritratto di Donnini)

Ottone Rosai, 1933

oilExpressionismportraitfigureportraitseatedclothingbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and creating depth through layering and blending. It also provides practice in depicting skin tones and clothing folds with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic figure proportions and pose lightly on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: background, skin, clothing.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin defining the shadows and highlights on the face and body.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the stripes and folds.
step 06
Develop the background with blended colors, creating a sense of depth.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall effect.
step 08
Varnish the finished painting for protection and to enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · purple

Mix skin tones by blending yellow ochre, burnt umber, and white, adding small amounts of red for warmth. Achieve the background colors by mixing blues, purples, and yellows.

techniques