plate no. 9751

Untitled (Daura in blue and green shirt with cane)

Pierre Daura, 1971

oilPost-Impressionismself-portraitportraitfiguremanshirtcaneface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing, and capturing light and shadow with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms and using color to create depth and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and cane.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in the main areas of color: the background, skin tones, shirt, and cane.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Develop the details of the shirt, using short, visible brushstrokes to create texture and form.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to the face and hands to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Refine the background, using loose brushstrokes to suggest the surrounding environment.
step 07
Add final details to the cane and other elements of the composition.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · viridian green · burnt sienna

secondary · titanium white · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and titanium white, with small touches of alizarin crimson for warmth. Mix greens by combining viridian green and cadmium yellow. Use ultramarine blue and white for the shirt, adding touches of green and yellow for variation.

techniques

·color mixing
·portraiture
·alla prima
·broken color
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in skin tone.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Ignoring the importance of light and shadow in creating form.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, viridian green, burnt sienna, titanium white, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags