plate no. 3623

La Gitane (La Curieuse)

Kees van Dongen, 1911

oilFauvismportraitfigureportraitwomanshawldresswall

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying forms and using expressive brushstrokes to create texture and mood. It also encourages experimentation with color and value to define shapes and create a sense of depth.

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 of the figure, background, and doorway.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: red/pink for the left background, blue/gray for the right, yellow for the dress, and dark blue for the shawl.
step 03
Add the skin tones, focusing on the light and shadow on the face and arm.
step 04
Define the features of the face, paying attention to the shape of the eyes and mouth.
step 05
Add the details of the shawl, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Paint the red pattern on the dress.
step 07
Refine the edges and add any final details.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form.

color palette

primary · cadmium yellow · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · ivory black · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of pink by combining cadmium red and titanium white. Create muted blues and grays by mixing ultramarine blue, titanium white, and a touch of burnt umber. Achieve the skin tones by mixing titanium white, cadmium yellow, and a small amount of cadmium red and burnt umber.

techniques

·broken color
·expressive brushstrokes
·color mixing
·simplification of form
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details
→Using too much detail in the face
→Creating muddy colors by over-mixing
→Not capturing the expressive brushstrokes
→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes
·flat brushes
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil or acrylic medium

optional

·easel
·rags
·odorless mineral spirits

Use a medium-sized canvas to allow for expressive brushstrokes. Acrylics are a good choice for beginners due to their fast drying time, while oils allow for more blending.

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