plate no. 2204

Pele No. 1

Elaine de Kooning, 1982

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanbackgroundshirtface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and using expressive brushstrokes to define form. It also provides practice in mixing skin tones and creating a dynamic background.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head and shoulders.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color for the background, face, and shirt using thin washes.
step 03
Begin to build up the darker values in the face, paying attention to the planes of the face.
step 04
Add highlights to the face and shirt, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, focusing on capturing the likeness.
step 06
Develop the background further, adding more layers of color and texture.
step 07
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and expressive portrait.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · purple

Mix skin tones by combining burnt umber, ultramarine blue, and titanium white, adjusting the proportions to achieve different shades. Use alizarin crimson to add warmth to the cheeks and lips. Create purple by mixing ultramarine blue and alizarin crimson.

techniques

·alla prima
·broken color
·scumbling
·color temperature
·expressive brushwork

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
→Using colors that are too saturated and unnatural.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and form.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes
·flat brushes
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil or acrylic medium
·rags

optional

·medium gloss
·retarder
·easel

Use a medium-sized canvas to allow for expressive brushstrokes. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly, while oils offer richer colors and blending capabilities.

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