plate no. 7467

Cosi fan tutte

Otto Dix, 1921

oilExpressionismportraitportraitwomanhatcolumnsfaceclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and creating depth through shading, as well as understanding how to mix and apply colors to achieve a specific mood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the face, hat, and background columns.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with a thin wash of neutral color.
step 03
Begin blocking in the local colors of the skin, hat, and clothing, focusing on accurate color matching.
step 04
Develop the form of the face by layering and blending subtle color variations.
step 05
Add details to the hat, paying attention to the folds and textures.
step 06
Refine the background columns with highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the eyes, lips, and any small highlights.
step 08
Adjust values and colors as needed to achieve a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

Mix various shades of skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and blue. Achieve the hat color by mixing cadmium red with a touch of burnt umber for darker shades.

techniques