plate no. 7223

Portrait of Maurice Dériaz

Gustave-Claude-Etienne Courtois, 1906

oilAcademicismportraitfigureportraitmaletorsoskin tonesfabric

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering realistic skin tones and capturing subtle variations in light and shadow. It also provides practice in depicting anatomical forms and fabric folds.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure's pose and proportions on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark, muted color.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones using a limited palette of warm and cool colors.
step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones to create smooth transitions and subtle variations in value.
step 05
Pay close attention to the light source and accurately depict the highlights and shadows on the figure's body.
step 06
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Paint the fabric, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black · cadmium red light

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, umber, sienna, and a touch of red. Blue and black are used to create cool shadows. The fabric is a mix of white and blue with hints of grey.

techniques