plate no. 1267
Emile Dressed As Cyrano
Jules Bastien-Lepage, 1883
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing likeness and expression, and in creating depth and form using subtle value changes and loose brushwork.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic figure proportions and pose on the canvas.
- step 02
Block in the large shapes of the figure and background with thin washes of color.
- step 03
Establish the main light and shadow areas on the face and clothing.
- step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying attention to the subtle value changes.
- step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Refine the background, ensuring it complements the figure.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black
secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · titanium white
Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth colors with small amounts of blue and red. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·value studies
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, painterly quality.
- →Creating harsh lines instead of soft transitions.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-tooth canvas for better texture. Consider using a toned canvas to start with a mid-value.
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