plate no. 7297

Little girl in blue

Amedeo Modigliani, 1918

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfiguregirldresswallfloor

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplified forms, limited color palettes, and expressive brushstrokes to convey mood and character. It also provides a good exercise in capturing the essence of a subject rather than precise realism.

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 and the background, focusing on proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: the blue dress, the skin tones, the background wall, and the floor.
step 03
Start building up the skin tones with layers of orange, red, and white, paying attention to the subtle variations in color.
step 04
Refine the details of the face, focusing on the eyes, mouth, and nose. Use small brushstrokes to create the features.
step 05
Add the white collar and the dark hair, paying attention to the shape and texture.
step 06
Work on the background, blending the colors and creating a sense of depth.
step 07
Add the details of the floor and the shadows, using darker colors to create contrast.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Titanium white · Cadmium red light · Burnt umber

secondary · Yellow ochre · Ivory black

Mix various shades of blue by combining Prussian blue and Titanium white. Create skin tones by mixing Cadmium red light, Yellow ochre, and Titanium white. Use Burnt umber and Ivory black to create the dark tones for the hair, floor, and shadows.

techniques

·Simplified shapes
·Expressive brushstrokes
·Color layering
·Limited palette
·Blending

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
→Not paying attention to the proportions of the figure.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value.

materials

surface · Stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (Prussian blue, Titanium white, Cadmium red light, Burnt umber, Yellow ochre, Ivory black)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags