What methods and techniques did Renoir use to create his figure paintings and portraits?

Answer 1

Renoir used a variety of techniques.... well founded in the Impressionist movement (which he helped to form with Monet)...

Sketches, or sometimes small 'painted studies' were often used by the artist to explore the visual task that lay before him. Then the painting could start to form, using a variety of brushstroke techniques, that Renior had mastered.

Thickly painted bright colours in 'Still Life' areas (such as in the 'Luncheon of the Boating Party'), were craftfully matched with often feathery brushstrokes to depict bacground scenery. A true respect for the effects of the changing levels of light during painting!

The other bit of mastery of the canvas was created by the many layers of paint used in many of his paintings! Modern Scientific processes have shown that he frequently made changes to his painting over a period of many months, which was expensive to do at the time, but showed his eye for perfection (as he saw it).

Above all.... Preparation and Planning were to Renoir's advantage!