plate no. 1746

Portrait (Harlequin)

Corneliu Baba, 1974

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigureharlequincostumedark background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create mood and texture. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness with simplified forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and costume lightly on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark green, varying the tone slightly for depth.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face and costume using thin washes of color.
step 04
Build up the texture and form with thicker, more visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Mix and apply the colors for the harlequin costume, paying attention to the subtle variations in tone.
step 06
Refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the expression and likeness.
step 07
Add highlights and details to the collar and hat.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · dark green · titanium white · raw umber · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · payne's gray

Mix various shades of green by combining dark green, raw umber, and ivory black. Achieve skin tones by mixing titanium white, cadmium red light, and yellow ochre. Use payne's gray to create muted tones for the costume.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the expressive brushstrokes.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in tone and color.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints (dark green, titanium white, raw umber, ivory black, cadmium red light, yellow ochre, payne's gray)
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags