plate no. 9796

Henri Rochefort

oil, canvasRealismportraitportraitfiguremanclothinghairface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering form with loose brushstrokes. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve subtle skin tones and atmospheric backgrounds.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark blue-gray wash.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face and clothing.
step 04
Begin layering colors to build up the skin tones, focusing on subtle variations.
step 05
Define the features of the face, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add details to the hair and clothing, using loose brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in color and tone.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and form.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Darken colors with burnt umber and black, and lighten with white. Use ultramarine blue and black to create the dark background.

techniques