plate no. 0909
Soldier head
Istvan Nagy, 1915
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides an opportunity to study portrait proportions and capturing a likeness.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, hat, and uniform.
- step 02
Block in the background with a warm yellow tone.
- step 03
Establish the main shadow areas on the face and uniform using darker browns and blues.
- step 04
Begin layering colors on the face, using browns, reds, and hints of green to create skin tones.
- step 05
Develop the details of the uniform, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
- step 06
Add details to the hat, including the buttons and brim.
- step 07
Refine the facial features, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mustache.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber
secondary · cadmium red · viridian green
Mix browns and blues for shadows. Use yellow ochre and red for skin tones. Create variations of green by mixing blue and yellow.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·color mixing
- ·portrait proportions
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →over-blending colors
- →losing the initial sketch
- →ignoring the proportions of the face
- →not creating enough contrast
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil (if using oils)
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a canvas with a slightly rough texture to enhance the visible brushstrokes.
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