plate no. 7222
The Mask Maker
Vilmos Aba-Novak, 1941
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in a dimly lit interior and capturing the texture of various objects with expressive brushstrokes. It also encourages exploration of a limited color palette to create a cohesive atmosphere.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and figures, focusing on proportions and composition.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark and light areas with thinned paint.
- step 03
Begin refining the background and surrounding objects, paying attention to the relationships between objects.
- step 04
Develop the figures, focusing on capturing the likeness and expression of the subjects.
- step 05
Add details to the masks, using varied brushstrokes to create texture and form.
- step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Add final details and highlights to enhance the overall effect.
- step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red
secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black
Achieve the muted tones by mixing raw umber and white, and use small amounts of cadmium red to create the red masks and accents. Use yellow ochre to warm up the neutral tones.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·limited palette
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using too many colors, resulting in a muddy or chaotic appearance.
- →Ignoring the relationships between objects and figures.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a medium-grit canvas to enhance the texture of the painting. Consider using a fast-drying medium to speed up the drying time.
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