plate no. 9503

Portrait of André Breton

Victor Brauner, 1934

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingbackgroundface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing, and understanding value relationships within a limited palette. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and creating a sense of depth with simple forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin tone, hair, shirt, tie, suit, and background.
step 03
Refine the skin tones by adding subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Define the features of the face: eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the collar, buttons, and folds.
step 06
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of depth and form.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to the face and clothing.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · black · green · blue

secondary · red · white · grey

Achieve the skin tone by mixing yellow ochre, white, and a touch of red. Create the green background by mixing green with white and yellow. Mix black and white to create various shades of grey for the suit.

techniques