plate no. 4278

The boy

Moise Kisling, 1948

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitboytreesfoliageskyclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing a likeness, as well as understanding color relationships for skin tones and clothing.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the basic shapes of the boy, the background elements, and the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: the skin tones, the red sweater, the blue hat, the dark pants, and the background.
step 03
Start refining the skin tones by adding subtle variations in color and value to create form and dimension.
step 04
Work on the red sweater, paying attention to the highlights and shadows to give it a sense of depth.
step 05
Develop the background, focusing on the shapes and values of the trees and foliage to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 06
Refine the details of the boy's face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, to capture his likeness.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the highlights in the eyes and the texture of the hair.
step 08
Make any necessary adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · viridian green · raw sienna

Mix skin tones using yellow ochre, cadmium red, and titanium white, with small amounts of burnt umber for shadows. Achieve the red sweater color by mixing cadmium red with a touch of burnt umber for depth. Create the background by mixing ultramarine blue with white and touches of viridian green and burnt umber.

techniques