plate no. 5808

Blue Hat

Tarsila do Amaral, 1922

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitwomanhatdressflowersfigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones and fabric, and creating depth through subtle value changes. It also offers practice in capturing the texture of clothing and the soft light on the face.

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, hat, and background.
step 02
Establish the main color blocks: background, skin, dress, and hat.
step 03
Begin layering the skin tones, focusing on subtle shifts in value and color.
step 04
Work on the dress, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
step 05
Paint the hat, capturing its shape and the details of the flowers.
step 06
Refine the background, adding depth and texture.
step 07
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and balanced painting.

color palette

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

secondary · burnt umber · sap green · alizarin crimson

Mix blues and whites for the hat and dress, adding touches of yellow ochre for warmth. Use red, yellow ochre, and white for skin tones, adjusting the ratios for highlights and shadows. Mix greens and browns for the background, adding touches of yellow for highlights.

techniques