plate no. 0416

Paulette Jourdain

Chaim Soutine, 1928

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfigurefacehairpersonclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and simplified portraiture, focusing on capturing the essence of the subject rather than precise realism. Students will also learn to mix skin tones with a limited palette.

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 of the head, hair, and shoulders.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of blue paint, using visible brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face with a base layer of skin tone.
step 04
Add darker values to the hair and clothing, defining the shapes.
step 05
Introduce red and pink tones to the cheeks, lips, and nose for warmth.
step 06
Refine the features of the face, paying attention to the eyes and mouth.
step 07
Add highlights to the hair and face to create dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Titanium White · Burnt Sienna · Cadmium Red

secondary · Yellow Ochre · Ivory Black

Mix skin tones by blending white, burnt sienna, and a touch of red. Use Prussian blue and white for the background, varying the ratio for different shades. Add yellow ochre to the skin tone mix for highlights.

techniques

·Impasto
·Broken Color
·Expressive Brushwork
·Color Temperature
·Simplification

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Focusing too much on detail and losing the expressive quality.
→Using too much paint, causing the surface to become overworked.
→Getting the proportions of the face incorrect.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 12x16
·Oil paints: Prussian Blue, Titanium White, Burnt Sienna, Cadmium Red, Ivory Black, Yellow Ochre
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags