plate no. 5126

Portrait of Erik Satie

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismportraitportraitmanhatglassesfacial hair

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice portraiture, focusing on capturing likeness and using color to define form. Students can learn to simplify complex shapes and use brushstrokes to create texture and depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the head, hat, and shoulders using light pencil lines.
step 02
Establish the background color with thin washes of muted tones.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, hat, and clothing, focusing on value relationships.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the proportions and angles of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add details to the hat and clothing, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Mix and apply subtle color variations to create depth and dimension in the face and clothing.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of light.
step 08
Refine the edges and details, making sure to maintain the overall impressionistic style.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · raw sienna · cadmium red light

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson

Mix browns and blacks with blues and reds to create depth. Use white to create highlights and tints. Mix red and yellow for skin tones, adjusting with green or blue to neutralize.

techniques