plate no. 0809

Mario de Andrade I

Anita Malfatti, 1922

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfiguremanglassesbow tiegeometric background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing, and understanding how to use geometric shapes to create a dynamic background. It also encourages experimentation with visible brushstrokes and non-traditional color choices for skin tones.

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 of the figure and background using a pencil.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color with thin washes, focusing on the geometric shapes in the background.
step 03
Begin to build up the skin tones using layers of color, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 04
Define the features of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using darker values.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the bow tie and jacket, using a variety of brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the background by adding more layers of color and texture.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Review the painting and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · titanium white

Mix skin tones by blending yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of cadmium red. Achieve the greens by mixing ultramarine blue and yellow ochre or viridian green. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·color layering
·dry brushing
·geometric abstraction
·portrait sketching
·broken color

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the colors, losing the vibrancy of the brushstrokes.
→Creating muddy skin tones by overmixing.
→Ignoring the geometric structure of the background.
→Not paying attention to the proportions of the face.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes (various sizes)
·flat brushes (various sizes)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil or acrylic medium

optional

·easel
·painting varnish
·rags
·odorless mineral spirits

Using a medium-textured canvas will help to create a more interesting surface for the paint to adhere to. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

chat about this artwork

in this vein