plate no. 1713

Portrait of Jules Romains

Henri Le Fauconnier, 1922

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfiguremanchairclothingbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in value shading and capturing likeness through careful observation of light and shadow. It will also teach how to create depth and form using 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 shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and chair.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the background and clothing using charcoal or dark paint.
step 03
Begin to build up the mid-tones on the face, paying attention to the planes of the face.
step 04
Add highlights to the face, hair, and clothing to create form and dimension.
step 05
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth to capture the likeness of the subject.
step 06
Soften edges and blend tones to create a smooth transition between values.
step 07
Add subtle details to the background and chair to create depth and interest.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and details to complete the portrait.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · raw umber · payne's gray

Mix varying ratios of black and white to create a full range of values. Use raw umber or payne's gray to slightly warm or cool the tones.

techniques

·value shading
·blending
·chiaroscuro
·portraiture
·hatching

common pitfalls

→Failing to establish a full range of values, resulting in a flat or muddy image.
→Overworking the details before establishing the basic forms and values.
→Incorrect proportions of the facial features, leading to a distorted likeness.
→Ignoring the subtle shifts in value that create form and dimension.