plate no. 4023

Monsieur Lepoutre

Amedeo Modigliani, 1916

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness through simplified forms and expressive brushwork. It also provides practice in mixing muted color palettes and creating depth through subtle value changes.

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 figure, focusing on the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of muted gray-green, varying the tones slightly.
step 03
Establish the main color of the jacket using a mix of yellow ochre and white, varying the tone to create form.
step 04
Paint the face with a mix of pink, white, and a touch of brown, paying attention to the simplified features.
step 05
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mustache, using darker tones of brown and gray.
step 06
Paint the hands with similar colors to the face, simplifying the forms and focusing on the overall shape.
step 07
Add the dark accents of the buttons and hair, using a mix of black and brown.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed, paying attention to the overall harmony of the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · payne's gray · cadmium red light

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, a touch of red, and a small amount of yellow ochre and burnt umber. The background is primarily Payne's gray with touches of yellow ochre and burnt umber to create depth.

techniques