plate no. 0884

Le Rouquin

Chaim Soutine, 1919

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremansuitdraperyclothing

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and capturing form with color rather than precise lines. It also provides practice in mixing skin tones and creating depth with warm and cool colors.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background with a light pencil.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in large areas of color with thin washes.
step 03
Start building up the darker values, focusing on the suit and background.
step 04
Begin adding highlights to the face and hands, paying attention to the planes of the form.
step 05
Develop the details of the face and clothing, using expressive brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Refine the edges and contours of the figure, softening or sharpening them as needed.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black · raw sienna

Mix skin tones using yellow ochre, cadmium red, and titanium white, adjusting the proportions to create warm and cool variations. Use burnt umber and ivory black to create dark shadows and mix with other colors to create muted tones.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·alla prima
·scumbling
·expressive brushwork

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the colors, which can result in a muddy or flat appearance.
→Focusing too much on detail early on, which can hinder the development of the overall composition.
→Not paying attention to the planes of the face, which can result in a distorted or unrealistic portrait.
→Using too much black, which can make the painting look dull and lifeless.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, ivory black, raw sienna)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags