plate no. 1112

A Smoking Soldier

oilFauvismportraitportraitsoldierfigurepipeuniformhat

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create a stylized portrait. It also encourages simplification of form and exaggeration of color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: yellow background, dark uniform, and skin tones.
step 03
Start adding darker values to define the shadows and folds in the uniform.
step 04
Mix and apply the red and white details on the uniform and hat.
step 05
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the exaggerated colors and shapes.
step 06
Add the pipe and smoke details.
step 07
Use short, visible brushstrokes to build up texture and create a sense of movement.
step 08
Adjust the colors and values as needed to achieve the desired expressive effect.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium yellow · ivory black

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Create darker shades by adding burnt umber or ivory black to the primary colors. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·broken color
·impasto
·expressive brushwork
·color mixing
·simplification of form

common pitfalls

→Overblending colors, losing the vibrancy of the brushstrokes.
→Getting bogged down in details, rather than focusing on the overall impression.
→Not exaggerating the colors enough, resulting in a dull painting.
→Incorrect proportions in the initial sketch.