plate no. 0205

Woman with Necklace Marquette

Arshile Gorky, 1936

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitwomannecklacefiguredressface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and layering colors to create texture and form. It also encourages simplification of facial features and exploring non-traditional color palettes for portraits.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the head, shoulders, and dress, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of light purple/blue for the background.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: yellow for the dress, pink for the skin, and dark brown/black for the hair.
step 04
Begin layering colors, using visible brushstrokes to create texture and depth.
step 05
Add details to the face, simplifying features and using contrasting colors for shadows and highlights.
step 06
Define the necklace with bold strokes of yellow and orange.
step 07
Outline key areas with dark lines to emphasize the form.
step 08
Refine the painting by adding small details and adjusting colors as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow · pink · light purple · black

secondary · orange · brown · red

Mix pinks by combining white with a touch of red and yellow. Create the light purple background by mixing white, blue, and a hint of red. Achieve skin tones by layering pink, yellow, and brown.

techniques