plate no. 5358
Portrait (Untitled)
Mark Rothko, 1939
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice simplified figure drawing, color mixing to achieve muted tones, and layering paint to create depth and texture.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and the room's structure.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the background, the figure's clothing, and the dresser.
- step 03
Mix the skin tones using a limited palette and apply them to the face and hands.
- step 04
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using subtle variations in value.
- step 05
Develop the folds and shadows in the clothing to create a sense of form.
- step 06
Refine the details of the dresser and the curtains, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 07
Add final touches and highlights to bring the painting to life.
- step 08
Allow to dry and add a varnish.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · viridian green
Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white to soften the intensity. Use thin glazes to build up color and create depth.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·layering
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the original.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Not paying attention to the proportions of the figure.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·viridian green oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for a textured surface. Thin the oil paints with linseed oil for easier blending and layering.
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