plate no. 9483

Walter Hussey

Graham Sutherland, 1965

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanfaceprofile

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and layering colors to create depth and form. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and conveying emotion through subtle variations in tone and color.

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 head and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin layering colors, focusing on building up the form of the face and features.
step 04
Use short, expressive brushstrokes to define the contours and textures.
step 05
Pay close attention to the subtle variations in skin tone, using a mix of warm and cool colors.
step 06
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 07
Refine the background and clothing, using a similar approach of layering and expressive brushwork.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and expressive portrait.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · viridian green · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, cadmium red, and titanium white, adjusting the proportions to create warm and cool variations. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create dark shadows and subtle greens.

techniques

·broken color
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·color layering
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy or flat appearance.
→Neglecting the subtle variations in skin tone, leading to a lifeless portrait.
→Focusing too much on detail early on, before establishing the overall form and values.
→Using overly harsh or contrasting colors, disrupting the harmony of the painting.