plate no. 6520

Paul Gauguin

Andrey Allakhverdov, 2015

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguresstill lifeartistpaletteflowers

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing, and layering techniques to create depth and texture. It also provides practice in capturing the likeness of a subject while incorporating expressive brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures and objects.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the background, figures, and still life elements using thin washes.
step 03
Start building up the skin tones of the figures, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing and accessories, using thicker paint and more defined brushstrokes.
step 05
Work on the still life elements, such as the fruit, brushes, and paint tubes, adding highlights and shadows to create form.
step 06
Refine the background, adding details to the flowers and foliage.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the facial features and the artist's palette, using small brushes and precise strokes.
step 08
Varnish the painting to protect it and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · viridian green · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson

Mix skin tones using yellow ochre, burnt umber, and titanium white, adding small amounts of red or green to adjust the temperature. Achieve the greens by mixing viridian green with yellow ochre and white.

techniques

·alla prima
·color mixing
·layering
·impasto
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Neglecting the importance of accurate proportions in the initial sketch.
→Applying paint too thickly too early in the process.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 18x24
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, viridian green, ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags