plate no. 7930

A Man of the Hills

Paul Henry, 1913

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitmanhatfigureshadow

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying forms and using a limited palette to create a cohesive and expressive portrait. It also emphasizes the importance of brushstroke direction to convey form and texture.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, hat, and shoulders, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Block in the darkest areas of the hat and face with a dark brown or black.
step 03
Establish the mid-tones using a mix of browns, ochres, and a touch of white, paying attention to the light source.
step 04
Add highlights to the face and clothing using lighter shades of ochre and white, keeping the brushstrokes loose and expressive.
step 05
Define the edges of the hat and face with darker tones, but avoid hard lines.
step 06
Create the background with a mix of muted greens and browns, using vertical brushstrokes to suggest texture.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, controlled brushstrokes.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · ivory black

Achieve the muted tones by mixing the primary colors with small amounts of black and white. Use more yellow ochre for highlights and burnt sienna for warmer shadows.

techniques