plate no. 0340

Girl wearing white dress

George Mavroides, 2000

oilExpressionismportraitfigureportraitdresschairseatedinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and capturing form with simplified shapes and colors. It also encourages exploration of color temperature and how it defines form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on large shapes rather than details.
step 03
Establish the darkest and lightest values to create a sense of form.
step 04
Begin to refine the shapes and add more detail, using expressive brushstrokes.
step 05
Mix and apply color variations to create depth and interest.
step 06
Pay attention to the edges of shapes, varying their sharpness to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · violet

Mix white with small amounts of other colors to create the various shades in the dress. Use blue and umber to create the darker tones in the background and shadows. Mix red and yellow for skin tones.

techniques