plate no. 4433

Portrait of Akabi

Arshile Gorky, 1936

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigurefacehairperson

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify forms and use color to define planes in a portrait. Students will also practice creating texture with visible brushstrokes.

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 head, neck, and shoulders.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of muted green-gray.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face with a light yellow-ochre base.
step 04
Mix and apply the darker tones around the eyes, nose, and mouth using browns and grays.
step 05
Add the orange color for the clothing, blending it into the neck area.
step 06
Define the hair with broad strokes of dark brown and gray, leaving some areas of the base color showing through.
step 07
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · orange · gray-green · raw sienna

Mix yellow ochre and white for the skin tones, adding small amounts of burnt umber or raw sienna to create shadows. The background is a mix of green, gray, and white.

techniques