plate no. 3143

Lady in blue

Chaim Soutine, 1931

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfiguredressfacedark background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and mixing dark, moody color palettes. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness with simplified forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the figure and background, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the darkest values.
step 03
Gradually build up layers of color, using expressive brushstrokes to create texture and form.
step 04
Pay attention to the subtle variations in skin tone, using thin glazes of color.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, focusing on the eyes and mouth.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Adjust the overall composition and color balance as needed.
step 08
Add final details and signature.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of blue and black for the background and dress. Use white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna for the skin tones. Create depth by layering colors and using thin glazes.

techniques

·expressive brushwork
·color layering
·glazing
·scumbling
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the figure.
→Not paying attention to the subtle variations in skin tone.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, ivory black, titanium white, burnt sienna, yellow ochre)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife