plate no. 9553

Susie Berns Aka. Susan Wolf

Abdul Mati Klarwein, 1971

oilMagic Realismportraitportraitfigurehairskywaterlandscape

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones and hair, and creating detailed textures. It also provides practice in depicting surreal and dreamlike imagery.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, hair, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the skin, hair, sky, and landscape.
step 03
Begin layering and blending colors to create smooth transitions in the skin tones.
step 04
Develop the texture of the hair using a variety of brushstrokes and color variations.
step 05
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Paint the background sky with its radiating lines and stars.
step 07
Refine the landscape elements, including the figure by the water.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the overall composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · alizarin crimson · cerulean blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, cadmium red, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and titanium white for the sky, and mix burnt umber with other colors to create shadows and depth.

techniques