plate no. 4544

Boy sitting with a hen on his lap

Rafael Zabaleta, 1943

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismportraitfigurechickenchairportraitgardenfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create texture and capturing the likeness of a figure and animal. It also provides practice in depicting light and shadow using broken color techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on proportions of the boy, chicken, and chair.
step 02
Establish the background with loose, broken brushstrokes, using greens, yellows, and blues.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the boy's skin, clothes, and hair, paying attention to the light source.
step 04
Develop the chicken's plumage with varied yellows, browns, and whites, using short, directional strokes.
step 05
Add details to the chair and surrounding environment, maintaining the loose, impressionistic style.
step 06
Refine the boy's facial features, focusing on capturing his expression and likeness.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create depth and harmony.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red · sap green

Mix various shades of skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Create the chicken's plumage by layering yellows, browns, and whites. Achieve the greens by mixing blues and yellows.

techniques