plate no. 3324

The Chamber Valet

Chaim Soutine, 1927

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingvesthands

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create mood and form. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness with simplified shapes and bold strokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the figure and background, focusing on proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the blue background, red vest, and dark sleeves.
step 03
Begin to refine the facial features, using a limited palette of skin tones.
step 04
Add details to the vest, including the buttons and subtle variations in color.
step 05
Develop the hands, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 06
Refine the background with expressive brushstrokes, varying the color and texture.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to create depth and interest.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Cadmium red · Titanium white

secondary · Burnt umber · Yellow ochre

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Achieve the dark blues by mixing Prussian blue with burnt umber. Create variations in the red vest by adding small amounts of yellow or brown.

techniques

·Impasto
·Broken color
·Scumbling
·Color layering
·Expressive brushwork

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality.
→Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
→Not paying attention to the proportions of the figure.
→Failing to capture the mood and emotion of the subject.

materials

surface · Stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints: Prussian blue, Cadmium red, Titanium white, Burnt umber, Yellow ochre
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette knife
·Palette
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil