plate no. 0024
Portret Van Elizabeth Sergejevna Potehinoj
Robert Falk, 1910
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice simplified form representation and color blocking to create a portrait. It also provides experience with visible brushstrokes and limited color palettes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, chair, and background.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: green background, red jacket, black skirt, and chair.
- step 03
Define the facial features with simple shapes and shadows.
- step 04
Add the red polka dots on the jacket, varying their size and spacing.
- step 05
Refine the shapes of the hands and add subtle highlights.
- step 06
Add the black bow on the jacket.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors to match the original painting.
- step 08
Add final details and visible brushstrokes for texture.
color palette
primary · green · red · black · white
secondary · flesh tones (ochre, white, red) · blue-gray
Mix various shades of green by combining blues, yellows, and white. Create flesh tones by mixing white, red, and a touch of yellow ochre. Use white to lighten the primary colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·color blocking
- ·simplified form
- ·visible brushstrokes
- ·limited palette
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplified form.
- →Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
- →Not capturing the correct proportions of the figure.
- →Ignoring the visible brushstrokes and creating a smooth, blended surface.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Acrylic or oil paints (green, red, black, white, yellow ochre)
- ·Round and flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Rags or paper towels
optional
- ·Medium (for oil paints)
- ·Easel
Use a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process. Consider using a palette knife to apply paint and create texture.
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