plate no. 6309

Man with a Red Kerchief

Roger de La Fresnaye, 1922

oil, canvasCubismportraitportraitfiguretreeslandscapecubismman

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand simplified forms and color blocking. It also provides practice in mixing skin tones and creating a sense of depth using color.

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 composition of the figure and background.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and then the figure.
step 03
Refine the shapes of the facial features and hands, paying attention to the geometric forms.
step 04
Mix and apply the various skin tones, focusing on the subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Add the details of the red kerchief and white collar.
step 06
Define the edges of the shapes with darker or lighter tones to create contrast.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the figure.
step 08
Step back and adjust the colors and values as needed to achieve a harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · red · ochre · white · brown

secondary · green · yellow · black · purple

Mix skin tones using ochre, white, and small amounts of red and brown. Use purple and black to create shadows. Vary the intensity of colors by adding white or mixing with complementary colors.

techniques