plate no. 6888

Portrait of An Unknown

Adalbert Erdeli, 1927

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigureflowersinteriorchairdress

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones and fabric patterns, and creating depth through layering and brushwork. It also provides practice in capturing the likeness of a subject and conveying a sense of mood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, chair, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas using a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the background, figure, and flowers, paying attention to the overall color harmony.
step 04
Begin refining the shapes and details of the figure, focusing on the facial features and the folds of the dress.
step 05
Add the pattern to the dress, using a combination of brushstrokes and color mixing to create the desired effect.
step 06
Develop the background and foreground, adding details and textures to create depth and interest.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows, paying attention to the way light interacts with the different surfaces.
step 08
Add final details and adjustments to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red · yellow ochre

secondary · viridian green · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and burnt umber. Achieve the dress pattern by mixing reds and oranges with white and small amounts of blue or green to create muted variations.

techniques

·alla prima
·broken color
·scumbling
·color mixing
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a clear light source.
→Using colors that are too saturated or unrealistic.
→Losing the overall composition by focusing too much on individual elements.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, viridian green, ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags