plate no. 4798

Portrait De Simone En Veste Rouge

Hélène de Beauvoir, 1986

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigurered jacketnewspapercouchpainting

some experience helpful

This painting is a good exercise in capturing a likeness with simplified forms and visible brushstrokes. Recreating it will help students practice color mixing and layering to achieve depth and texture.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: yellow for the wall, blue for the couch, red for the jacket, and skin tones.
step 03
Start adding darker values to define shadows and contours.
step 04
Develop the details of the face, paying attention to the placement of features.
step 05
Add details to the jacket, including the pattern and highlights.
step 06
Refine the newspaper and hands, focusing on their form and texture.
step 07
Adjust the background and surrounding elements to create a cohesive composition.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · ivory black · flesh tint

Mix red with white for lighter shades of the jacket. Use yellow ochre and white for the wall, adding small amounts of umber for variation. Mix blue and umber for the couch.

techniques