plate no. 1697

Arab Priest

Irma Stern, 1945

oilPost-Impressionismportraitfigureportraitmanbeardturbanclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and expression using loose brushstrokes and a limited palette. It also provides practice in understanding and depicting folds and drapery in clothing.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color using thin washes, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 03
Start building up the darker values in the beard, eyes and clothing folds.
step 04
Add highlights to the turban, face, and clothing to create form and dimension.
step 05
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the expression in the eyes and mouth.
step 06
Develop the texture of the clothing and turban using visible brushstrokes.
step 07
Add final details and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and expressive portrait.
step 08
Consider adding a frame to complete the artwork.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix white with raw umber and yellow ochre to create the various skin tones and clothing colors. Use black sparingly to darken shadows and define features.

techniques