plate no. 1651

Portrait of the Poet Georges Bonnamour

Henri Le Fauconnier, 1906

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigurechairbooksflowersinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering form with loose brushstrokes. It also provides practice in creating depth and atmosphere through color and value variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with a thin wash of color.
step 03
Begin building up the form of the figure with broad, visible brushstrokes.
step 04
Develop the background, paying attention to the relationships between colors and values.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Adjust the overall composition and color balance.
step 08
Add final details and touches to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson

Mix black and umber for dark tones, adding blue for cooler shadows. Use white to create highlights and lighter values. Mix crimson and yellow ochre for warm skin tones.

techniques