plate no. 8216

A mulher de cabelos verdes

Anita Malfatti, 1916

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigurechairwomanclothinghair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive color mixing and applying bold, visible brushstrokes to create form and texture. Students will also learn to simplify complex forms into basic shapes and use color to create mood and expression.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, chair, and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color using thin washes.
step 03
Start building up layers of color, focusing on the light and shadow areas.
step 04
Use thicker paint and bolder brushstrokes to define the forms and add texture.
step 05
Pay attention to the color relationships and how they create depth and mood.
step 06
Refine the details of the face and clothing.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to bring the painting to life.
step 08
Step back and adjust as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · red · blue · yellow · white

secondary · green · brown · gray

Achieve the skin tones by mixing reds, yellows, and blues with white. Create the greens by mixing blues and yellows. Use browns and grays to create shadows and depth.

techniques