plate no. 7843

Ksenija Atanasijević

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigurehatclothingfacewoman

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice expressive brushstrokes and learn how to suggest form with color variations rather than precise outlines. It also provides an opportunity to study portraiture and capturing a likeness using simplified forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, hat, and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin adding thicker, more visible brushstrokes to define the forms.
step 04
Mix and apply subtle color variations within each area to create depth and interest.
step 05
Pay close attention to the direction of the brushstrokes to convey the form of the subject.
step 06
Refine the facial features, using small, deliberate strokes to suggest the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the painting.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a cohesive and expressive result.

color palette

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

secondary · viridian · alizarin crimson · ivory black

Mix white with blue to create various shades of blue for the background and hat. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna with white for skin tones, adding a touch of red for the lips and cheeks. Mix blue and green for the clothing.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·expressive brushwork
·alla prima
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, which can result in a muddy or flat appearance.
→Focusing too much on detail early on, instead of establishing the overall value structure.
→Using overly bright or saturated colors, which can detract from the painting's harmony.
→Ignoring the direction of the brushstrokes, which can flatten the forms.