plate no. 8279

Portrait of Salvador Dalí

Carlos Quizpez Asín, 1924

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanclothinghatabstract background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones and dark fabrics, and creating depth through subtle value changes. It also encourages simplification of forms and expressive brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 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, starting with the background.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones and shadows on the face and neck.
step 04
Define the features of the face, paying attention to the unique proportions.
step 05
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and shadows.
step 06
Refine the background shapes and colors, creating a sense of depth.
step 07
Add highlights and details to the face and clothing.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · viridian green

Mix skin tones by combining raw sienna, burnt umber, and titanium white, adjusting with small amounts of cadmium red for warmth. Achieve the dark blues of the suit by mixing ultramarine blue and burnt umber. Use yellow ochre and viridian green for the background.

techniques