plate no. 9294

Portrait of Paul Ranson

Georges Lacombe, 1905

oilPointillismportraitportraitmanbeardhandsclothingfigure

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students understand color mixing for skin tones and practice the pointillism technique to build up form and texture. It also provides a good exercise in capturing likeness and expression.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, hands, and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the background color with a dark, muted tone.
step 03
Begin applying small dots of color to the face, starting with the mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 04
Use a variety of colors to create depth and dimension in the skin tones, including reds, yellows, blues, and greens.
step 05
Repeat the pointillism technique for the beard, hair, clothing, and hands, paying attention to the direction and density of the dots.
step 06
Refine the details of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using smaller dots and more precise color placement.
step 07
Adjust the overall value and color balance of the painting to create a cohesive and harmonious image.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to enhance the realism and expression of the portrait.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · ivory black

Mix skin tones by combining yellow ochre, cadmium red, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create dark shadows and muted tones.

techniques