plate no. 5686

Baroness Helen Von Buren

Abdul Mati Klarwein, 1980

oilMagic Realismportraitportraitfiguresplantsfoliagegeometric shapestropical

advanced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, rendering complex foliage, and combining realistic elements with abstract geometric forms. It also encourages experimentation with composition and color relationships.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to map out the major shapes and placement of the figures and foliage.
step 02
Divide the canvas into sections corresponding to the different compositional elements.
step 03
Start with the portrait sections, focusing on accurate proportions and skin tones.
step 04
Move on to the foliage, building up layers of color and detail to create depth and texture.
step 05
Paint the geometric shapes, paying attention to clean lines and color transitions.
step 06
Refine the details in each section, adjusting values and adding highlights.
step 07
Blend edges where necessary to create a sense of cohesion between the different elements.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · red-orange · brown · blue · green

secondary · yellow · pink · purple

Achieve skin tones by mixing red, yellow, and brown with white. Create variations in foliage by mixing different shades of green, blue, and brown. Use glazes to build up depth and luminosity.

techniques