plate no. 4098

Portrait of Amadeo Modigliani (possibly by Jeanne Hébuterne)

Jeanne Hébuterne, 1919

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanhatclothingface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and using color to create form. It also provides practice in layering and blending paint to achieve subtle tonal variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, hat, and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of muted browns and yellows.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, hat, and clothing, using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 05
Add details to the hat and clothing, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Blend and soften edges to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create contrast.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a cohesive and expressive portrait.

color palette

primary · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · ivory black · cadmium red light

Mix raw umber and yellow ochre to create the base tone for the skin. Add white to lighten and red to warm the complexion. Use black and umber to create shadows.

techniques