plate no. 0475

Portrait

Abidin Dino, 1970

oilSurrealismportraitportraitfacefigureheadeyes

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex forms and using expressive brushstrokes to create texture and depth. It also encourages experimentation with color mixing to achieve a limited, harmonious palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, face, and features using a pencil or light color.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color using thin washes, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin building up layers of paint, adding darker values to create shadows and define forms.
step 04
Use thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes to add texture and detail to the face and clothing.
step 05
Mix subtle variations of the primary colors to create depth and interest.
step 06
Pay attention to the negative space around the figure to enhance the composition.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to bring the portrait to life.
step 08
Allow the painting to dry completely and then consider adding a protective varnish.

color palette

primary · gray · brown · white · blue

secondary · beige · tan

Achieve the various grays by mixing white with small amounts of brown and blue. Use white to lighten the browns and blues for highlights. Mix the beige and tan with white, brown, and a touch of blue.

techniques

·dry brushing
·layering
·color mixing
·simplification
·expressive brushwork

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them, resulting in a flat and uninteresting palette.
→Not paying attention to the value structure, leading to a lack of depth and form.
→Getting bogged down in precise realism instead of embracing the simplified, stylized approach.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (12x16 or similar)
·Acrylic or oil paints (gray, brown, white, blue)
·Round brushes (various sizes)
·Flat brushes (various sizes)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
·Rags or paper towels

optional

·medium gloss
·easel
·palette knife

Use a canvas with a medium texture to enhance the visibility of the brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette of colors to simplify the color mixing process.

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