plate no. 0783

Dessins Et Peintures D'afrique Executés Au Cours De L'expédition Citroën Centre Afrique

Alexandre Jacovleff, 1927

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfiguresmusical instrumentclothinghatportraithands

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing skin tones and facial expressions, as well as understanding how to depict draped fabric and textures using a limited color palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes and figures, paying attention to proportions and composition.
step 02
Establish the darkest values using a dark brown or black, focusing on the shadows in the faces, clothing, and musical instrument.
step 03
Introduce mid-tones using a mix of brown and yellow, gradually building up the form and creating subtle transitions.
step 04
Add highlights with a lighter yellow or cream color, focusing on areas where light hits the figures and instrument.
step 05
Refine the details of the faces, hands, and musical instrument, paying attention to the subtle variations in tone and texture.
step 06
Use hatching and cross-hatching techniques to create depth and dimension in the clothing and background.
step 07
Add the hat and any other small details, using a fine brush or pencil to create crisp lines.
step 08
Review the painting and make any necessary adjustments to the values and details to achieve a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · raw sienna · black

Mix burnt umber and yellow ochre to create various shades of brown and tan. Add titanium white to lighten these colors and create highlights. Use black sparingly to deepen shadows.

techniques