plate no. 9995
Portrait astrologique
Jacques Hérold, 1934
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portrait painting, color mixing for muted tones, and creating a surreal atmosphere through composition and detail. It also encourages experimentation with geometric elements within a representational context.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the head, landscape elements, and geometric shapes.
- step 02
Block in the background with dark blues and grays, creating a sense of depth.
- step 03
Establish the basic skin tones on the face, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
- step 04
Paint the landscape elements, using muted greens, browns, and blues.
- step 05
Add the geometric shapes around the head, using precise lines and contrasting colors.
- step 06
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 07
Add the thin, light-colored line connecting the head to the landscape.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a cohesive and surreal effect.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light
secondary · yellow ochre · viridian green
Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white or raw umber to dull the intensity. Use glazes of color to build depth and subtle variations.
techniques
- ·portrait painting
- ·glazing
- ·geometric line work
- ·color mixing
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the face and losing the subtle nuances of the skin tones.
- →Making the geometric shapes too dominant and distracting from the portrait.
- →Failing to create a cohesive atmosphere through color and value.
- →Inaccurate proportions in the portrait.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
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