plate no. 8132

Portrait of Edmond-François Aman-Jean

crayon, paperPointillismportraitportraitfiguremanprofileclothinghead

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand pointillism and how to build up tones using small dots or strokes. It also provides practice in rendering form and light with a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic outline of the figure and background.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the composition, such as the hair and clothing, using dense, closely spaced marks.
step 03
Gradually build up the mid-tones by varying the density and spacing of the marks.
step 04
Use lighter marks to indicate highlights on the face, collar, and hand.
step 05
Pay close attention to the direction of the marks to suggest the form of the subject.
step 06
Refine the details of the face and clothing, adding subtle variations in tone and texture.
step 07
Step back and assess the overall balance of the composition, making adjustments as needed.
step 08
Add final touches to enhance the contrast and depth of the image.

color palette

primary · black · white · gray

secondary · ivory · charcoal gray

Varying shades of gray are achieved by mixing black and white in different proportions. Ivory can be added to soften the white and create warmer highlights.

techniques

·pointillism
·stippling
·value shading
·cross-hatching
·blending

common pitfalls

→Applying marks too uniformly, resulting in a flat, lifeless image.
→Failing to vary the density and spacing of the marks to create a sense of depth and volume.
→Overworking the image, leading to a muddy or cluttered appearance.
→Neglecting the overall composition and focusing too much on individual details.

materials

surface · smooth drawing paper

required

·white paper
·black crayon
·white chalk or pastel
·kneaded eraser
·fixative spray
·drawing board
·ruler

optional

·tortillon
·sandpaper block
·charcoal pencils

Using a slightly textured paper can enhance the effect of the pointillist technique. Experiment with different types of crayons and chalks to find the ones that work best for you.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

how to learn by studying the masters →

chat about this artwork

in this vein