plate no. 0240

Eusébia Cosmé

Beauford Delaney, 1944

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfiguredressflowersjewelrybackground figures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, layering, and capturing light and shadow with expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in portraiture and depicting fabric textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and main elements.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of yellow and ochre.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, using simplified color blocks for the skin tones, dress, and jewelry.
step 04
Begin layering colors to create depth and dimension in the face, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Develop the details of the dress, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest the fabric's texture and folds.
step 06
Add the flowers and jewelry, using brighter colors and thicker paint to make them stand out.
step 07
Refine the background figures, keeping them soft and blurred to maintain focus on the main subject.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · sap green

Mix skin tones using burnt umber, cadmium red, and yellow ochre with white. Achieve the dress's yellow by mixing cadmium yellow with white and a touch of ochre. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create darker tones.

techniques