plate no. 7947

The Pastry Chef

Chaim Soutine, 1927

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfigurechefclothinghatapron

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice expressive brushwork and learn how to suggest form with color variations rather than precise outlines. It also provides an opportunity to explore limited color palettes and how to create depth with them.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure with a light pencil or thin wash of paint.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark blue, varying the tone slightly to create depth.
step 03
Start applying the white of the chef's uniform, using thick, visible brushstrokes and adding hints of blues, greens, and pinks to create highlights and shadows.
step 04
Mix and apply the red tones for the face and hands, focusing on capturing the expressive quality of the original.
step 05
Add details to the chef's hat and collar, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the edges of the figure, allowing some areas to blend into the background and others to stand out.
step 07
Add final touches to the background, adjusting the values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Let dry and add a varnish coat.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · viridian green · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix white with small amounts of blue, green, and red to create the varied tones in the chef's uniform. Use red mixed with white and a touch of yellow ochre for the skin tones.

techniques

·Impasto
·Broken color
·Expressive brushwork
·Color layering
·Limited palette

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Making the colors too uniform and not capturing the subtle variations.
→Focusing too much on detail and not enough on the overall impression.
→Not allowing the background to blend with the figure.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (ultramarine blue, titanium white, cadmium red light, viridian green, yellow ochre, ivory black)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil or other painting medium
·Odorless mineral spirits or turpentine
·Palette knife
·Rags