plate no. 9673

Portrait of Blaise Cendrars

Amedeo Modigliani, 1917

oil, cardboardExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingfacehead

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying forms and capturing a likeness with limited color variations and visible brushstrokes. It also encourages expressive mark-making and understanding of basic portrait proportions.

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 head, neck, and shoulders, paying attention to the elongated proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark, muted color, using loose, visible brushstrokes.
step 03
Mix a skin tone using a combination of red, yellow, and white, and apply it to the face and neck, leaving some areas lighter and darker to suggest form.
step 04
Define the features (eyes, nose, mouth) with simple shapes and lines, using darker tones for shadows and lighter tones for highlights.
step 05
Paint the hair with short, choppy brushstrokes, using a mix of brown and black.
step 06
Add the collar and tie, using white and gray tones, respectively.
step 07
Paint the suit jacket with a dark brown or black, using visible brushstrokes to create texture.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed to match the original painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · ivory black · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by blending burnt sienna, raw umber, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and raw umber to create a muted black for the background and clothing.

techniques