plate no. 5140

Il Marinaio Francese

Filippo De Pisis, 1930

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguresailorhathandbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating a sense of depth through layering and brushwork. Students will also learn to simplify complex forms and capture the essence of the subject.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, hat, and background elements.
step 02
Block in the main color areas using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Begin layering colors to build up the skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Define the features of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, with careful brushstrokes.
step 05
Add details to the sailor's hat and uniform, including the lettering and trim.
step 06
Paint the background with loose, expressive brushstrokes, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Titanium white · Burnt umber · Cadmium red

secondary · Yellow ochre · Ivory black

Mix white with small amounts of red, yellow ochre, and burnt umber to create skin tones. Use Prussian blue and white for the background, adjusting the ratio to create variations in tone. Mix black and blue for the sailor's uniform.

techniques

·Dry brush texture
·Layering
·Color mixing
·Impasto
·Expressive brushwork

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality of the original.
→Failing to capture the correct proportions of the figure.
→Using colors that are too saturated or unnatural.
→Ignoring the importance of highlights and shadows in creating form.

materials

surface · Stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·Oil paints (Prussian blue, Titanium white, Burnt umber, Cadmium red, Yellow ochre, Ivory black)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags