plate no. 8632

The head of the Roman youth

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)portraitportraitfiguremanflowerfoliagehead

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict light and shadow on complex forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the main shapes: head, hair, flower, and leaves.
step 02
Block in the background with a light, neutral color.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones using a limited palette of warm and cool colors.
step 04
Begin building up the form of the face, paying attention to the planes and shadows.
step 05
Add details to the hair, flower, and leaves, using varied brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add the details of the clothing.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red light · sap green · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by combining white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of red. Use blue and green to create cooler shadows. Mix greens for the foliage by combining yellow and blue.

techniques