plate no. 1320

Les Six', group portrait of the avant-garde musical group sponsored by Jean Cocteau

Jacques-Émile Blanche, 1921

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismportraitfiguresportraitsgroupclothinginteriorfaces

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering complex skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and clothing folds with light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, loose strokes of warm browns and reds.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures with simplified color masses, paying attention to the light source.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, using subtle color variations to create depth and form.
step 05
Develop the clothing, focusing on the folds and drapery, and capture the textures of the fabrics.
step 06
Add details to the background and foreground, such as the chair and other elements, to create depth and context.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the figures.
step 08
Add final details and adjust colors as needed to achieve a cohesive and harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · raw umber · ivory black · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, ivory black, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create darker shadows. Mix yellow ochre and cadmium red light to create warmer skin tones.

techniques

·portraiture
·figure drawing
·color mixing
·glazing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a clear light source.
→Using colors that are too saturated or unrealistic.
→Not paying attention to the proportions and anatomy of the figures.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (24x36 inches)
·oil paints (raw umber, ivory black, titanium white, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, cadmium red light)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette knife