plate no. 8498

Portrait Of The Writer B.Antonenko Davydovich

Victor Zaretsky, 1968

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguregeometric shapesfacecrown

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portrait construction using simplified forms and expressive brushwork, as well as color mixing to achieve a limited but effective palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the face, crown, and geometric background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: yellow/ochre for the face and crown, dark brown/black for the background, and red/orange for the accent shapes.
step 03
Develop the values within the face using darker shades of yellow/ochre to define the features and shadows.
step 04
Add details to the crown, emphasizing the geometric shapes and highlights.
step 05
Refine the geometric shapes in the background, paying attention to the color variations and outlines.
step 06
Add texture and visible brushstrokes to the face and background to create a sense of depth and movement.
step 07
Introduce secondary colors like green and blue in the background to add visual interest.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition, ensuring a balance between the figure and the background.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · black

secondary · red · orange · green · blue

Mix yellow ochre with raw umber and black to create the various shades for the face. Use red and orange to create the fiery shapes. Add small amounts of green and blue to the background to create visual interest.

techniques

·blocking in
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·color mixing
·geometric abstraction

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the colors, which can result in a muddy appearance.
→Losing the geometric structure of the face and background.
→Using too many colors, which can detract from the overall impact.
→Ignoring the importance of visible brushstrokes for creating texture.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Acrylic or oil paints (yellow ochre, raw umber, black, red, orange, green, blue)
·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
·Rags or paper towels
·Easel

optional

·Painting medium (e.g., linseed oil or acrylic medium)
·Varnish

Use a canvas with a medium texture to enhance the brushstrokes. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly due to faster drying times, but oils allow for more blending.

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