plate no. 3725

Baker Boy

Chaim Soutine, 1919

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurechairhatboybackground

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create form and mood. It also encourages simplification of details and focusing on the overall impression.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, chair, and background.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, focusing on the overall color scheme.
step 03
Start building up layers of paint, using thicker brushstrokes to define forms and create texture.
step 04
Pay attention to the direction of the brushstrokes to suggest the contours of the subject.
step 05
Mix colors directly on the canvas to achieve the desired effects.
step 06
Refine the details of the face and hands, but avoid overworking them.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

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

secondary · burnt umber · sap green · violet

Achieve the flesh tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue. Use burnt umber and ultramarine blue to create the darker tones in the shadows. Mix white with small amounts of other colors to create the lighter tones.

techniques