plate no. 1462

Flautista

Candido Portinari, 1934

oilSocial Realismgenre paintingfigureflutearchitecturelandscapehillbuilding

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, color mixing for skin tones, and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also offers practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and buildings.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the background, figure, and buildings using thin washes.
step 03
Develop the skin tones of the figure, layering different shades of brown and red.
step 04
Add details to the face and hands, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Refine the clothing and shoes, adding highlights and shadows to create form.
step 06
Paint the architectural elements, focusing on the perspective and angles.
step 07
Add the background details, such as the landscape and the figure in the distance.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · raw sienna

Mix browns for the skin tones by combining burnt umber, red, and yellow ochre. Create the blues for the background by mixing ultramarine blue with white. Use white and yellow ochre to create the light colors for the buildings and clothing.

techniques