plate no. 8576

La temperanza, Woman Holding a Knife

Konstantinos Parthenis, 1938

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitfigureportraitknifecolumnsdraperybackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create subtle tonal variations and understanding how to suggest form with minimal detail.

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 and background elements.
step 02
Establish the overall tonal range with a thin wash of a neutral color like raw umber.
step 03
Begin layering in the darker values in the background and around the figure to create depth.
step 04
Introduce the primary colors, focusing on building up subtle variations in tone and temperature.
step 05
Define the features of the face and hands with careful attention to light and shadow.
step 06
Add details to the knife and drapery, using dry brush techniques to create texture.
step 07
Refine the edges and transitions between colors to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall sense of form and depth.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · payne's gray · yellow ochre

Achieve the muted tones by mixing the primary colors with white and small amounts of Payne's gray. Use yellow ochre to warm up certain areas and create subtle highlights.

techniques