plate no. 0055

Portrait of a Man

Kazimir Malevich, 1933

oilImpressionismportraitportraitfiguresclothingskytrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to use visible brushstrokes to build form and create texture, as well as how to simplify complex subjects into basic shapes and colors.

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 and proportions of the figures and background.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin building up the forms with thicker paint and visible brushstrokes, layering colors to create depth.
step 04
Pay attention to the direction of the brushstrokes to suggest the form of the subjects.
step 05
Mix and apply the colors for the clothing, ensuring the red stands out against the black.
step 06
Add details to the faces, focusing on capturing the likeness and expression.
step 07
Refine the background with loose, expressive brushstrokes.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and form.

color palette

primary · black · red · white · flesh tones

secondary · blue · green · yellow

Mix flesh tones by combining red, yellow, and white, adjusting the proportions to achieve the desired hue. Create variations in the black by adding small amounts of blue or brown.

techniques