plate no. 1470
Young man reading
Antonio Sicurezza, 1970
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering form with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in color mixing and creating a sense of depth through value contrast.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas of the background with flat tones.
- step 03
Establish the basic skin tones and shadows on the face and neck.
- step 04
Develop the details of the hair, using short, directional brushstrokes.
- step 05
Refine the features of the face, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 06
Paint the clothing and the paper, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 07
Add highlights and details to the face, hair, and clothing.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a cohesive and expressive portrait.
color palette
primary · red · blue · green · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt umber · titanium white · raw sienna
Mix skin tones by blending yellow ochre, burnt umber, and white. Achieve darker tones by adding small amounts of blue or green. Use white to create highlights and lighten colors.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·directional brushstrokes
- ·color temperature
common pitfalls
- →Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Failing to capture the correct proportions of the face.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in skin tone.
- →Using too much detail in the background.
- →Not paying attention to the direction of the light.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or mineral spirits
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·painting easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette of colors to simplify the mixing process.
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