plate no. 4681

Portrait of Vartoosh

Arshile Gorky, 1937

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigurewomanclothingheadface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing, and capturing likeness through simplified forms. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and volume using subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and collar.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of gray-blue paint.
step 03
Establish the main color areas: red for the dress, flesh tones for the face, and dark brown for the hair.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying attention to the placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create form and volume in the face and clothing.
step 06
Develop the details of the collar and the area around the hands.
step 07
Refine the edges and contours of the figure to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Add final touches and adjustments to the colors and values.

color palette

primary · red · flesh tones (ochre, white, red) · gray-blue

secondary · dark brown · white · yellow ochre

Flesh tones are achieved by mixing ochre, white, and a touch of red. Vary the proportions to create subtle shifts in skin tone. The gray-blue background is made by mixing blue, gray, and white.

techniques