plate no. 5222

Study for Portrait of a Peasant

Kazimir Malevich, 1912

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)sketch and studyportraitfigurepeasantheadclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and using bold brushstrokes to define contours and create texture. It also encourages experimentation with limited color palettes to achieve a specific mood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, hat, and clothing, focusing on proportions and angles.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: the skin tones, hat, clothing, and background.
step 03
Add darker tones to define the shadows and contours of the face and clothing.
step 04
Introduce red accents to the face and clothing to add depth and interest.
step 05
Refine the shapes and edges with bolder brushstrokes, paying attention to the direction of the strokes.
step 06
Add the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth with simple shapes and lines.
step 07
Include the text on the left side of the painting.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · red · black · white

secondary · gray · brown

Mix yellow ochre and white for lighter skin tones; use red straight from the tube or mix with a touch of black for darker shades; create gray by mixing black and white.

techniques