plate no. 5767
Portrait of György Bölöni
Lajos Tihanyi, 1912
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle skin tones and understanding how to simplify complex forms into geometric shapes. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness with expressive brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
- step 03
Begin refining the shapes and adding details to the face, using small, deliberate brushstrokes.
- step 04
Develop the clothing and background, paying attention to the interplay of light and shadow.
- step 05
Mix subtle variations of skin tones using a limited palette.
- step 06
Use thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest.
- step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form.
- step 08
Step back and make any necessary adjustments to the composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · cadmium red light · ivory black
Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create various shades of gray and black for the clothing and background.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·geometric simplification
- ·expressive brushwork
- ·color temperature
- ·value study
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Getting bogged down in details too early.
- →Failing to simplify the forms into basic shapes.
- →Not paying attention to the overall value structure.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·oil paints
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for good paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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