plate no. 6528

La Jartigo

Robert Henri, 1924

oilAmerican Realismportraitportraitmanhatwalking stickfigureclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, focusing on capturing likeness and expression through loose brushwork and limited color palette. It also provides practice in creating depth and form using value contrast.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, hat, and walking stick using light pencil lines.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark background and shadow areas with a thin wash of dark brown.
step 03
Begin layering in the mid-tones and highlights on the face, hands, and clothing, focusing on the planes of the form.
step 04
Mix and apply the various shades of red and brown to the jacket and hat, using loose, expressive brushstrokes.
step 05
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 07
Add the walking stick, using a warm yellow color and suggesting its form with simple strokes.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition, ensuring that the focal point is the face and that the painting has a sense of unity.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black · cadmium red

Mix various shades of brown and red by combining burnt umber, burnt sienna, and cadmium red with varying amounts of white. Use yellow ochre to create highlights on the face and walking stick. Add small amounts of black to darken shadows.

techniques

·alla prima
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·limited palette

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality of the brushwork.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, resulting in a flat and lifeless painting.
→Using too many colors and creating a muddy or chaotic effect.
→Incorrect proportions of the facial features.