plate no. 5273
Seated man
Roger de La Fresnaye, 1914
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand simplified forms and color blocking to create a portrait. It also provides practice in mixing muted tones and creating subtle gradations within shapes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition of the figure and background.
- step 02
Identify the dominant color blocks and map them out on your canvas.
- step 03
Begin filling in the large color areas with thin washes of paint.
- step 04
Mix the specific colors for each shape, paying attention to subtle variations in tone.
- step 05
Gradually build up layers of paint, refining the edges of the shapes.
- step 06
Add details like the collar and tie, using a smaller brush.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors as needed to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting.
color palette
primary · gray · blue · red · white
secondary · purple · yellow · brown
Achieve the grays by mixing black and white with small amounts of other colors like blue or brown. Mute the reds and blues by adding a touch of their complements.
techniques
- ·color blocking
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·geometric abstraction
- ·tonal variation
common pitfalls
- →Overly blending the colors, losing the distinct shapes.
- →Making the colors too saturated and bright.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle value changes within each shape.
- →Getting the proportions of the figure wrong in the initial sketch.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas
- ·Oil paints (gray, blue, red, white, purple, yellow, brown)
- ·Palette
- ·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Palette knife
- ·Rags
optional
- ·Medium gloss
- ·Easel
- ·Color chart
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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