plate no. 9181

Portrait of Arthur Martin

Firmin Baes, 1934

oilImpressionismportraitportraitmansuitchairfigureformal

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in color mixing for realistic skin tones and understanding subtle value changes to create form. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and portraying a sense of character.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair using light pencil lines.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of neutral tones.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, suit, and chair, focusing on accurate value relationships.
step 04
Begin layering and blending colors on the face to create realistic skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Refine the details of the suit, including the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 06
Add details to the chair, such as the wood grain and upholstery.
step 07
Pay attention to the details of the hands and face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · sap green

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Achieve dark tones by mixing black and burnt umber. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create neutral grays for the suit.

techniques