plate no. 3523

Portrait of Lucien Gilbert

Andre Derain, 1906

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanhatsuitflowers

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create form and texture. It also provides practice in portraiture and capturing a likeness.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hands.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, using thin washes to establish the overall composition.
step 03
Begin building up layers of paint, using bold brushstrokes to define the forms and create texture.
step 04
Mix colors directly on the canvas to achieve the desired hues and values.
step 05
Pay close attention to the lighting and shadows, using them to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Add details such as the facial features, clothing, and background elements.
step 07
Refine the painting by adjusting the colors, values, and brushstrokes as needed.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · viridian green · yellow ochre · cadmium red · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, cadmium red, and white, adjusting the ratios to create variations. Dark greens are created by mixing viridian green and burnt sienna. Use ultramarine blue to darken colors and create shadows.

techniques