plate no. 5646

Portrait du côté miroir

Victor Brauner, 1959

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingportraitgeometric shapesabstractfigureface

suitable for beginners

This painting offers a good opportunity to practice simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive image. Students can also learn about layering paint to achieve different textures and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic geometric shapes of the portrait onto the canvas, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with a light gray wash, using loose brushstrokes.
step 03
Paint the white areas of the face and neck, using slightly different shades to create depth.
step 04
Add the black and brown shapes, focusing on clean edges and accurate placement.
step 05
Mix a red-purple color for the base of the neck and apply with visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Add the small details like the eyes and mouth with a fine brush.
step 07
Refine the edges of the shapes and blend the colors slightly where needed.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to create a sense of dimension.

color palette

primary · titanium white · gray · black · brown

secondary · red · purple

Mix different shades of gray by combining white and black. Create the brown by mixing red, yellow, and black. Adjust the purple by adding red to the brown.

techniques