plate no. 8351
Portrait of Juan Martín
Remedios Varo, 1960
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form using subtle value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and clothing.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
- step 03
Begin layering in the skin tones, paying close attention to subtle shifts in color and value.
- step 04
Block in the main areas of the red headwear and clothing, focusing on the large shapes and folds.
- step 05
Develop the details of the clothing pattern, using a fine brush to create the intricate designs.
- step 06
Refine the facial features, adding highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.
- step 07
Add the background, using a dark, muted color to create contrast with the figure.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · red · yellow ochre · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna
Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Achieve the red hues by mixing a primary red with touches of yellow ochre and burnt umber for variation.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
- ·portraiture
- ·rendering fabric
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and form.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints (red, yellow ochre, ivory black, titanium white, burnt umber, raw sienna)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·assorted brushes (small round, small flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A smooth canvas surface will be easier to work with.
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