plate no. 7146

Laissez les jacasser

Bernard Buffet, 1990

oilExpressionismportraitportraitbirdsparrotsmanbranch

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing expressive linework and simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. Students will learn to create depth and texture using bold brushstrokes and limited color palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the man, birds, and branch, focusing on proportions and composition.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of light beige/cream color to the entire canvas as a base layer.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: orange/yellow for the birds, beige/tan for the man's skin, and brown for the branch.
step 04
Use thick, visible brushstrokes to add darker values and define the forms, especially on the man's face and the birds' feathers.
step 05
Mix a dark brown/black and use it to create bold outlines and details, emphasizing the expressive linework.
step 06
Add highlights with white or light beige to create contrast and dimension.
step 07
Create the background texture using vertical and diagonal strokes of beige and white.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · beige · black · orange · white

secondary · blue · brown

Mix beige by combining white with small amounts of brown and yellow. Achieve darker tones by adding black or burnt umber to the base colors.

techniques

·expressive linework
·impasto
·dry brushing
·limited palette
·blocking in

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality.
→Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
→Not paying attention to proportions and anatomy.
→Failing to create enough contrast between light and dark areas.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brush
·flat brush
·palette
·palette knife

optional

·painting medium
·varnish

Use a medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) for this project. Acrylics are recommended for faster drying time, but oils can also be used for richer colors.

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