plate no. 5440

Taju

Sallinen Tyko, 1923

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurechairpersonclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, capturing likeness, and using expressive brushstrokes to define form. It also provides practice in simplifying complex shapes and focusing on essential details.

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 chair.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the background, skin tones, clothing, and chair, focusing on value and temperature.
step 03
Refine the shapes and values of the face, paying close attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 04
Add details to the hair and clothing, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Develop the background with expressive brushstrokes, varying the color and value to create depth.
step 06
Refine the details of the chair, using a combination of thin and thick paint.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of form and dimension.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments to the composition, color, or value.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · alizarin crimson · titanium white

Mix blues and browns for shadows in the clothing and background. Use yellow ochre and white with small amounts of red and blue to create skin tones. Adjust the proportions to achieve the desired color temperature.

techniques