plate no. 0034

Anne with a Gladiolus

Avigdor Arikha, 1991

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigureflowerchairclothinghair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing likeness with expressive mark-making and understanding how to build form with layers of color and value. Students will also learn how to simplify complex forms into basic shapes.

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, chair, and gladiolus.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: the skin tones, the blue of the clothing, the green of the leaves, and the dark tones of the chair.
step 03
Begin to refine the shapes and values, paying attention to the light and shadow on the figure's face and clothing.
step 04
Add details to the gladiolus, including the individual flowers and leaves.
step 05
Develop the texture of the hair using short, broken strokes.
step 06
Work on the background, using light washes of color to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of blue with white and umber to create the different tones in the clothing. Use red and green to create the brown tones of the gladiolus stem. Mix yellow ochre with white and a touch of red for the skin tones.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·hatching
·dry brushing
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the figure.
→Creating a flat, lifeless background.
→Not paying attention to the values and creating a painting that is too light or too dark.