plate no. 7571

Untitled from 'Les Enfants'

Tsuguharu Foujita, 1929

oilMagic Realismportraitportraitfigurechildhooddark backgroundeyes

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing subtle tonal variations and creating a focal point through contrast. It also provides practice in rendering fabric and creating a sense of depth with a limited palette.

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 figure, hood, and facial features.
step 02
Block in the dark background with a diluted black or dark gray.
step 03
Apply a thin layer of white or light gray to the hood and face, establishing the basic values.
step 04
Gradually build up the highlights and shadows on the face and hood, paying attention to the subtle transitions.
step 05
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, using darker tones to define the features.
step 06
Paint the hair with light brown and blonde tones, adding subtle highlights.
step 07
Create the starry effect in the background by dabbing white paint with a small brush or sponge.
step 08
Refine the edges and details, ensuring a smooth transition between the figure and the background.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · raw umber

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber

Mix various shades of gray by combining white and black. Use raw umber and yellow ochre to create the hair color. Add small amounts of burnt umber to darken the shadows.

techniques