plate no. 5611

Winston Churchill

Graham Sutherland, 1954

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurefaceyellowneutral background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose brushwork, color mixing for skin tones, and capturing likeness with minimal detail. It also encourages expressive mark-making and understanding of value relationships.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic head shape and features using a pencil or thin brush with diluted paint.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the yellow background, the overall skin tone, and the darker areas of the face.
step 03
Start building up the skin tones with layers of thin washes, focusing on the subtle shifts in color and value.
step 04
Use bolder brushstrokes to define the features and add texture to the face.
step 05
Introduce the darker accents around the eyes, nose, and mouth to create depth.
step 06
Add the handwritten color notes using a fine brush and dark paint.
step 07
Refine the edges and details, paying attention to the overall balance of the painting.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the form and create a sense of light.