plate no. 2290

Tribute toTziakometti

Chronis Botsoglou, 1986

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfigurechairseatedportraitinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive mark-making and capturing a likeness with minimal detail. It also encourages exploration of texture and layering.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure and chair with charcoal or pencil.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of diluted grey or brown paint to establish the overall value structure.
step 03
Using visible brushstrokes, build up the darker areas with a mix of browns, blacks, and blues.
step 04
Add hints of color, like pinks and blues, to the chair and figure, blending them loosely.
step 05
Create texture by using dry brush techniques and layering different colors.
step 06
Define the edges of the figure and chair with darker lines and strokes.
step 07
Add subtle details to the face and hands to suggest features.
step 08
Leave areas of the canvas bare to create a sense of incompleteness.

color palette

primary · titanium white · payne's grey · burnt umber

secondary · alizarin crimson · cerulean blue

Mix Payne's Grey and Burnt Umber for the darker tones. Use Titanium White to lighten and create subtle variations. Add small amounts of Alizarin Crimson and Cerulean Blue to create the pink and blue hues.

techniques