plate no. 1959
Boy in a Blue Shirt
Amedeo Modigliani, 1918
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, simplified form representation, and capturing a mood through pose and expression. It also encourages exploration of non-realistic color choices.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, chair, and background.
- step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in large areas of color.
- step 03
Mix and apply the base color for the skin, shirt, and background.
- step 04
Add shadows and highlights to define the form of the figure and chair.
- step 05
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the simplified shapes.
- step 06
Add details to the shirt, such as the buttons and pockets.
- step 07
Adjust the colors and values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final details and touch-ups to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · Prussian blue · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red light · raw umber
Mix skin tones by blending yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of cadmium red light with white. Achieve the blue-green shirt color by mixing Prussian blue with yellow ochre and white. Use raw umber to create darker shadows and outlines.
techniques
- ·color mixing
- ·blocking in
- ·simplified form
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplified aesthetic.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Failing to capture the subtle nuances of the skin tones.
- →Not paying attention to the overall color harmony of the painting.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·odorless mineral spirits (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
A medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) is recommended. Use good quality paints for best results.
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