plate no. 0658

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Victor Zaretsky, 1964

oilExpressionismportraitfigurestablebreadinteriorclothingportraits

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing likeness with loose brushwork and mixing muted color palettes. Students will also learn to simplify complex forms and focus on essential details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures and the table.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the background, figures, and table using thin washes.
step 03
Start building up layers of color, focusing on the shadows and highlights to define form.
step 04
Add details to the faces, clothing, and objects on the table, using thicker paint and more defined brushstrokes.
step 05
Pay attention to the patterns on the clothing and tablecloth, simplifying them as needed.
step 06
Refine the edges and contours of the figures and objects, softening or sharpening them as needed.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · raw sienna

Mix muted tones by combining complementary colors with white. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber to create warm browns and earth tones. Add small amounts of cadmium red to warm up the skin tones.

techniques

·blocking in
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·layering
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality of the original.
→Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in value and color.