plate no. 5174
Portrait of Yvonne Duchamp
Marcel Duchamp, 1907
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose brushwork, color mixing for subtle variations, and capturing form with simplified shapes and values. It also provides practice in depicting the human figure in a relaxed pose.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and the chair.
- step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of color, focusing on the overall tone.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the figure, including skin tones, clothing, and hair.
- step 04
Begin to refine the shapes and values of the figure, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 05
Add details to the clothing and hair, using short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 06
Work on the background, adding details to the window and the wall.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · burnt umber · sap green · yellow ochre
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red
Mix various shades of green by combining sap green with burnt umber and yellow ochre. Create skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue to cool down the whites and create shadows.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·alla prima
- ·color layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
- →Getting bogged down in details too early in the process.
- →Not paying attention to the overall value structure of the painting.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a fast-drying medium to speed up the drying time of the oil paints.
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