plate no. 1698

Edwin John

Augustus John, 1927

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigurepitchertablenewspaperpatterned background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as practicing loose, expressive brushwork and creating a sense of depth through layering.

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, pitcher, and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, paying attention to subtle shifts in color and value.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing and newspaper, using loose brushstrokes.
step 05
Add the patterned background, simplifying the design and focusing on the overall effect.
step 06
Refine the form of the pitcher, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of harmony.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cerulean blue · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue or green. Create the darks by mixing ivory black and burnt umber. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.

techniques