plate no. 1757
Max Jacob
Amedeo Modigliani, 1916
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying forms and using expressive color to convey mood. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness with minimal detail.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, hat, and body.
- step 02
Block in the background with a mix of grays and browns.
- step 03
Apply the base color for the face, a mix of red and ochre.
- step 04
Add darker tones to define the shadows on the face and hat.
- step 05
Paint the suit and tie using dark browns and grays, adding subtle highlights.
- step 06
Define the facial features with bold, simplified lines.
- step 07
Add the lettering in the background.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed.
color palette
primary · red ochre · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · gray · black · green
Mix red ochre and white for the skin tone, adding small amounts of burnt umber for shadows. Use white and black to create various shades of gray for the background.
techniques
- ·simplified forms
- ·expressive color
- ·impasto
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →overworking the details
- →getting bogged down in realism
- →not simplifying the forms enough
- →using colors that are too bright
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·mineral spirits
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
related artworks
Dolly Sisters
Kees van Dongen
Nude with Loaves
Jean Helion
My Father
Carlos Botelho
Helen
Chronis Botsoglou
The portrait painter in the country
Albin Egger-Lienz
Marketta on Lázeňská street, Prague
Maria Bozoky
Winter at the Entrepotdok, in Amsterdam city
Paul Werner
Old Woman with Masks (Theatre of Masks)
James Ensor