plate no. 6786

Portrait of Raymond

Amedeo Modigliani, 1915

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfigurefacemanhairclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying forms and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive and expressive portrait. Students will also practice capturing the essence of a subject through stylized representation.

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 of the head, neck, and shoulders, focusing on proportions and the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of dark browns and purples, varying the tones slightly.
step 03
Mix a base skin tone using a combination of white, red, and a touch of yellow and brown, then apply it to the face and neck.
step 04
Add shadows to the face using darker shades of the skin tone, paying attention to the planes of the face.
step 05
Define the features (eyes, nose, mouth) with simple lines and shapes, using a dark brown or black.
step 06
Paint the hair with dark purples and blacks, using short, textured brushstrokes.
step 07
Add highlights to the face and hair with lighter shades of the skin tone and purple, respectively.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones by combining white, red, yellow, and a touch of brown. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create dark browns and blacks for the background and hair.

techniques

·simplified shapes
·limited palette
·visible brushstrokes
·color blending
·linear definition

common pitfalls

→Overcomplicating the shapes of the face.
→Using too many colors.
→Blending the colors too much, losing the texture.
→Making the lines too harsh or defined.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (raw umber, burnt sienna, titanium white, ultramarine blue, cadmium red light)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Palette knife

optional

·medium gloss
·easel
·rags

Use a limited palette of oil paints to capture the essence of Modigliani's style. Consider using a slightly textured canvas to enhance the brushstroke visibility.

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