plate no. 6430

Fly Butterfly

Ivan Marchuk, 1986

oilMagic Realismself-portraitfacehandbutterflylandscapeskysea

advanced study

Recreating this painting would develop skills in detailed rendering, layering, and creating texture with brushstrokes. It also challenges the student to observe and replicate subtle color variations within a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the face, hand, and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the dark background sky and the lighter horizon area with broad strokes.
step 03
Block in the general shapes of the landscape and the figure, using a muted color palette.
step 04
Begin adding details to the face and hand, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Develop the texture of the landscape by layering small, individual brushstrokes.
step 06
Introduce subtle color variations within the landscape to create depth and interest.
step 07
Paint the butterfly with careful attention to its delicate details and vibrant color.
step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and adding final details to unify the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · raw umber

secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium red

Achieve the muted tones by mixing white and black with small amounts of umber, sienna, and blue. Use red sparingly for the butterfly and subtle accents.

techniques