plate no. 0459

Male Portrait

oilCubismportraitportraitmalefigureclothingcubismface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, understanding light and shadow, and simplified color mixing. It also introduces the basics of cubist abstraction in portraiture.

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 and proportions of the head, shoulders, and clothing.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of yellow ochre and burnt sienna.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face using a limited palette of browns, blues, and yellows.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the planes of the face and how they catch the light.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the collar, tie, and jacket, using similar color blocking techniques.
step 06
Use visible brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of depth and form.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to the eyes and other key areas.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · titanium white · cadmium yellow

Mix browns by combining burnt sienna and ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten values and yellow to warm up colors. Create subtle variations by adding small amounts of other colors.

techniques