plate no. 1364

Drue Heinz

Abdul Mati Klarwein, 1961

oilMagic Realismportraitportraitfigurewindowcityscapeinteriorjewelry

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective and creating depth in an interior scene.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, window, and key elements.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, loose strokes, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, focusing on proportions and the overall pose.
step 04
Begin to refine the skin tones, using subtle color variations to create form and volume.
step 05
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying close attention to capturing the likeness.
step 06
Paint the clothing and jewelry, using a combination of broad strokes and finer details.
step 07
Develop the cityscape seen through the window, focusing on atmospheric perspective and simplified shapes.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to the entire painting, refining the overall composition and creating a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · cerulean blue · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, burnt sienna, and small amounts of red and yellow. Use raw umber and white to create the muted tones of the background and clothing. Mix cerulean blue with white to create the cool tones of the cityscape.

techniques