plate no. 9612

Tête rousse

Bernard Buffet, 1967

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurefacehairexpressioncrown

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop expressive brushwork and learn how to simplify facial features into basic shapes and lines. It also encourages experimenting with color to convey emotion.

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.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of yellow-orange paint.
step 03
Establish the main areas of the face with white and light gray, focusing on the planes of the face.
step 04
Use bold, visible brushstrokes to create the hair, mixing red, brown, and black.
step 05
Define the facial features (eyes, nose, mouth) with strong black lines and touches of red.
step 06
Add details like the crown and collar with dark green and black.
step 07
Refine the overall composition by adjusting values and adding highlights.
step 08
Add the signature in the bottom right corner.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red

secondary · black · dark green · gray

Mix yellow ochre and a touch of red for the background. Use white and black to create various shades of gray for the face. Mix burnt umber and black for dark outlines and shadows.

techniques