plate no. 2278

Auguste Renoir

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitfigureportraitmanchairclothingindoors

some experience helpful

This painting is a good exercise in capturing a likeness with loose brushstrokes and limited color palette. Recreating it will help students understand how to suggest form and texture rather than rendering every detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair using light pencil lines.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of blue-gray paint, allowing some canvas to show through.
step 03
Establish the main value areas: darks for the jacket and chair, mid-tones for the pants and skin, and highlights on the face and hands.
step 04
Mix and apply the skin tones, focusing on capturing the subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Paint the clothing, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the edges of the figure and chair, softening them in some areas and sharpening them in others.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Mix the skin tones using white, raw umber, and a touch of burnt sienna. Create the blue-gray background by mixing white, ultramarine blue, and a small amount of raw umber.

techniques