plate no. 9336

Holiday

Georgi Kovachev, 1986

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurewomanclothinghairbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create form and texture. It also encourages simplification of complex shapes into bold, abstract strokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color with thin washes, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin building up layers of paint with thicker, more expressive brushstrokes.
step 04
Mix colors directly on the canvas to create a lively and textured surface.
step 05
Define the facial features and details of the clothing with smaller, more precise strokes.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the background with bold, abstract strokes of color.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making adjustments as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · orange · black

Mix various shades of skin tones using yellow ochre, burnt umber, and titanium white. Create greens by mixing ultramarine blue and yellow ochre. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·alla prima
·expressive brushwork
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Over-blending colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Getting bogged down in details too early.
→Not using enough paint to create texture.
→Ignoring the overall value structure.
→Being afraid to make bold, expressive strokes.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, ultramarine blue, cadmium red, viridian green, black)
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits

optional