plate no. 6327

Myself & Eran in the mirror.

Mariam Aslamazian, 1939

oil, canvasNaïve Art (Primitivism)portraitfiguresportraitmirrorpaintingartistinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing, and capturing the essence of a subject with simplified forms. It also provides practice in creating depth through layering and subtle value changes.

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 figures, paying attention to proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of the dominant color.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones and clothing colors for each figure.
step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create depth and form.
step 05
Add details to the faces, clothing, and accessories.
step 06
Paint the mirror and the reflection, simplifying the forms.
step 07
Refine the brushstrokes and add final details to the background and foreground.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · red · black · brown · white

secondary · pink · grey · ochre

Mix various shades of pink for the background by combining red and white. Create skin tones by blending white, ochre, and a touch of red. Use black and brown to create shadows and define forms.

techniques