plate no. 7149
Portrait of a Man
Mikhail Larionov, 1910
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand color temperature and how to use bold brushstrokes to define form. It also provides practice in simplifying complex shapes into basic geometric forms.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure and background, focusing on proportions.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the darkest values.
- step 03
Define the facial features and details of the clothing using bold brushstrokes.
- step 04
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 05
Refine the edges of the shapes to create a sense of form.
- step 06
Pay attention to the color relationships between the different areas of the painting.
- step 07
Add final details and adjustments to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red · viridian green
secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black
Mix various shades of brown and green by combining burnt umber, viridian green, yellow ochre, and white. Achieve the skin tones by mixing cadmium red, white, and a touch of burnt umber.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·color temperature
- ·simplification
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Getting lost in details too early.
- →Not simplifying the shapes enough.
- →Ignoring the color temperature variations.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·#10 flat brush
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a limited palette to focus on color mixing and temperature. Consider using a larger brush for the initial blocking in stage.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
