plate no. 8444

Girl with still life

Rafael Zabaleta, 1953

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitfigurestill lifeinteriorwindowbirdlandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors, creating texture with visible brushstrokes, and simplifying complex forms into geometric shapes. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of a subject rather than photorealistic detail.

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, paying attention to the placement of the figure, table, and window.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the background landscape, the interior, and the figure's clothing.
step 03
Add details to the table and the still life objects (hare, bird, bag), focusing on their shapes and textures.
step 04
Develop the figure's face and hair, using simple shapes and colors.
step 05
Refine the details of the window and the surrounding architecture.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Apply final touches and corrections to the overall composition.
step 08
Let dry and varnish.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · cerulean blue

secondary · sap green · cadmium red · titanium white

Mix various shades of yellow ochre and burnt umber to create the warm tones of the table and the landscape. Use cerulean blue and white to create the cool tones of the sky and the figure's clothing. Mix small amounts of red and green to create muted browns and grays.

techniques

·blocking in
·layering
·dry brush texture
·simplification of forms
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the original painting.
→Failing to capture the correct proportions of the figure and the still life objects.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
→Not paying attention to the overall composition and balance of the painting.