plate no. 3953

Mother's Portrait

Minas Avetisyan, 1964

oilPost-Impressionismportraitfigureportraitinteriortableflowersheadscarf

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors and capturing form with visible brushstrokes. It also provides an opportunity to study portraiture and simplified representation.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of neutral color.
step 03
Establish the main skin tones of the figures, using a limited palette.
step 04
Add the darker values to define the forms of the figures and objects.
step 05
Develop the details of the headscarf and clothing, paying attention to the patterns.
step 06
Paint the flowers and the glass, capturing their shapes and colors.
step 07
Refine the brushwork and add highlights to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a cohesive look.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · ivory black

Mix skin tones by blending white, red, and yellow ochre, adding small amounts of umber for shadows. Achieve the neutral background by mixing umber, white, and a touch of blue.

techniques