plate no. 7042

Axalgazrda Mxatvari

Gogi Khutsishvili, 1956

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigureblueartistbookbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice color mixing with a limited palette and explore simplified portraiture techniques. It also encourages experimentation with expressive brushstrokes and creating depth with tonal variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the figure and the background circles.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: blue for the face and background, dark brown/black for the clothing, and reddish-brown for the book.
step 03
Add lighter and darker shades of blue to the face to create form and dimension.
step 04
Define the facial features with careful attention to the shapes of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Use circular brushstrokes to create the background circles, varying the intensity of the blue.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the book to give it a sense of depth.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Titanium White · Burnt Umber

secondary · Cadmium Red · Yellow Ochre

Mix Prussian Blue and Titanium White for various shades of blue. Add a touch of Burnt Umber to darken the blue. Mix Burnt Umber with Cadmium Red and Yellow Ochre for the book's color.

techniques

·Color mixing
·Simplified portraiture
·Tonal variation
·Circular brushstrokes
·Blocking in

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors
→Getting the proportions of the face wrong
→Making the background circles too uniform
→Not creating enough contrast in the values

materials

surface · Stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas
·Acrylic or oil paints
·#4 round brush
·#8 flat brush
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits (if using oils)

optional

·Medium gloss
·Easel
·Rags

Use a medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) for this project. Acrylic paints are easier to clean up, but oil paints offer richer colors and blending capabilities.

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