plate no. 9460

The Negro barber in Suez

oilAcademicismgenre paintingfiguresinteriorgroomingportraitclothingarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will develop skills in rendering skin tones with subtle variations and capturing the folds and shadows in draped fabric. Students will also learn to create a sense of depth and atmosphere through careful layering and glazing.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of warm browns and yellows, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Block in the dark tones of the figures, paying attention to the light source and shadows.
step 04
Begin layering in the mid-tones and highlights on the skin, using subtle color variations.
step 05
Paint the blue robe, focusing on capturing the folds and drapery with light and shadow.
step 06
Add details to the faces, hands, and other features, refining the forms and expressions.
step 07
Glaze over the painting to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · raw sienna · ivory black · cadmium yellow light

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, yellow ochre, and titanium white, adjusting the proportions to create highlights and shadows. Mix ultramarine blue with white and a touch of umber for the robe.

techniques