plate no. 1460

My Godfather's Sons (Portrait of Modesto and Jesus Sanchez)

Diego Rivera, 1930

oil, metalNaïve Art (Primitivism)portraitfigureschildrenportraitshatsclothingbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice portraiture basics, color mixing for skin tones, and creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes. Students will also learn to simplify complex forms into basic shapes.

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 figures and hats.
step 02
Block in the background with flat layers of color, starting with the lighter areas.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones for the figures, paying attention to the subtle variations in color.
step 04
Paint the clothing, focusing on the stripes and folds.
step 05
Add details to the faces, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Refine the shapes and values of the figures and hats.
step 07
Add the shadows and highlights to create depth.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a cohesive look.

color palette

primary · pink · yellow · brown · orange

secondary · blue · red · white

Skin tones can be achieved by mixing brown, orange, and white. Pink can be created by mixing red and white. Vary the ratios to achieve different shades.

techniques