plate no. 3380
Portrait of Henri Le Sidaner
Marie Duhem, 1894
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating a textured background with loose brushstrokes. It also provides practice in capturing subtle light and shadow.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the portrait, paying attention to the profile and hat.
- step 02
Establish the background with loose, broken brushstrokes of yellow, orange, and white.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of the face with a base layer of skin tone, focusing on the overall value.
- step 04
Add shadows and highlights to the face to create depth and form, using subtle color variations.
- step 05
Paint the suit and hat, using a mix of blues and grays, and paying attention to the folds and creases.
- step 06
Refine the details of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, precise brushstrokes.
- step 07
Add the beard and hair, using a dry brush technique to create texture.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a cohesive and harmonious painting.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · cadmium orange · raw umber · cerulean blue
Mix skin tones using burnt sienna, yellow ochre, and white, adding small amounts of blue or orange to adjust the temperature. Achieve the blues of the suit by mixing ultramarine with white and a touch of raw umber to dull the color.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·dry brush
- ·scumbling
- ·color layering
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Overblending the skin tones, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
- →Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the face and background.
- →Making the brushstrokes too uniform and predictable.
- →Ignoring the importance of accurate proportions in the portrait.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grit canvas to allow for good paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
related guides
