plate no. 3713

Interior

Mark Rothko, 1936

oilExpressionisminteriorinteriorfiguresstatuesarchitecturepaintingcolumns

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors, creating texture with visible brushstrokes, and simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. It also encourages exploration of color relationships to create depth and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition: the rectangles of the wall, the columns, the statues, and the figures.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in large areas of color with thin washes. Start with the reds and greens.
step 03
Build up layers of color, focusing on the variations within each area. Use short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 04
Define the forms of the statues and figures using darker values to create shadows and lighter values for highlights.
step 05
Add details to the architecture, such as the molding and the columns, using a smaller brush.
step 06
Refine the edges of the shapes and adjust the values to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Pay attention to the negative space around the figures and statues to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · red · green · brown · gray

secondary · yellow · white · black

Mix various shades of red by combining red with brown, black, and white. Create greens by mixing blue and yellow, and adjust the tone with brown or black. Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors.

techniques