plate no. 4026

Portrait

Jean Paul Lemieux, 1961

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguredresshead coveringpearl necklaceprofile

suitable for beginners

This painting offers a good opportunity to practice color mixing to achieve subtle variations and to simplify a portrait into basic shapes. Students can also learn about creating a sense of depth through layering and 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 of the figure: head, neck, shoulders, and head covering.
step 02
Block in the background with a light, neutral color, paying attention to variations in tone.
step 03
Apply a base coat of yellow for the dress, and red for the head covering.
step 04
Mix skin tones and apply to the face and neck, focusing on subtle shading.
step 05
Add details like the eye, lips, and pearl necklace.
step 06
Refine the shapes and edges of the figure, blending colors as needed.
step 07
Add final touches to the background, creating a sense of depth.
step 08
Let dry and add a varnish layer.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · red · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light · ivory black

Mix skin tones by combining white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Achieve the background color by mixing raw umber with white and a touch of yellow ochre. The red head covering can be achieved by mixing cadmium red light with a touch of raw umber.

techniques