plate no. 3178

Tete the Clown

Bernard Buffet, 1955

oilExpressionismportraitclownportraitfacefigurecostumeexpressionism

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex forms into geometric shapes and using expressive linework to define features and create texture.

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.
step 02
Divide the face into geometric sections as seen in the original, marking the placement of the nose, mouth, and eyes.
step 03
Block in the background with a textured application of blue paint.
step 04
Fill in the facial sections with their respective colors: red for the nose, yellow for the hair and mouth, green for the chin.
step 05
Add the black suit and white collar, paying attention to the details of the tie.
step 06
Use black ink or paint to create the strong outlines and details of the face, hair, and clothing.
step 07
Add subtle shading to the face and neck to create depth.
step 08
Review and refine the linework and colors to match the expressive style of the original.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Cadmium Yellow · Cadmium Red · Titanium White

secondary · Black · Green

Mix white with Prussian blue to create the background color. Vary the amount of white to achieve subtle tonal variations. Use yellow straight from the tube for the hair and tie. Mix a small amount of black with white for the skin tones.

techniques