plate no. 8425
AP 1901 Harlequin and His Companion
Anthony Padgett, 2018
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice bold brushstrokes and simplified color mixing to create a stylized portrait. It also provides an opportunity to explore expressive mark-making and capturing likeness with minimal detail.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures, table, and cups using light pencil lines.
- step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of pink, varying the tones slightly.
- step 03
Establish the main skin tones using a mix of brown, white, and a touch of red, applying paint with visible brushstrokes.
- step 04
Paint the clothing with simplified blocks of color, focusing on the green and blue tones.
- step 05
Add details to the faces, such as eyes, noses, and mouths, using small, deliberate brushstrokes.
- step 06
Define the cups and table with gray and white, capturing the highlights and shadows.
- step 07
Outline key areas with dark paint to emphasize the forms and create a graphic effect.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.
color palette
primary · pink · green · brown · white
secondary · blue · yellow · red
Mix various shades of pink for the background by adding white or a touch of red to the base pink. Achieve skin tones by blending brown, white, and a small amount of red or yellow. Create different greens by mixing blue and yellow, and adjusting the ratio for lighter or darker shades.
techniques
- ·impasto
- ·broken color
- ·alla prima
- ·expressive brushwork
common pitfalls
- →Overblending the colors, which will lose the expressive brushstrokes.
- →Getting bogged down in details, which will detract from the simplified style.
- →Using too much paint, which can make the painting look muddy.
- →Ignoring the importance of the dark outlines, which define the forms.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Oil paints (pink, green, brown, white, blue, yellow, red)
- ·Palette
- ·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process. Consider using a medium to improve the flow of the paint and create a glossy finish.
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