plate no. 0885

Harlequin and clown with mask

Rafael Zabaleta, 1942

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitfiguresclownharlequinmaskstill lifebottle

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones and fabrics, and capturing complex patterns. It also encourages expressive brushwork and understanding of composition with multiple subjects.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures and objects, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the background colors, establishing the overall tone.
step 03
Start with the faces, mixing skin tones and defining the features.
step 04
Paint the clothing, paying attention to the patterns and folds.
step 05
Add details to the still life elements, such as the bottle and fruit.
step 06
Refine the brushwork, adding texture and depth.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create a cohesive composition.
step 08
Add final details and highlights.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · burnt umber · cadmium yellow

Mix various shades of skin tones using yellow ochre, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, and white. Achieve the harlequin's diamond pattern by mixing primary colors with white for lighter shades.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·impasto
·color mixing
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Getting lost in the details too early.
→Over-blending the colors, resulting in a muddy effect.
→Ignoring the underlying structure of the figures.
→Failing to capture the expressive quality of the brushwork.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 18x24
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, cadmium red, titanium white, viridian green, burnt umber, cadmium yellow)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags