plate no. 0992

Lucia Sturdza Bulandra in Mamouret

George Stefanescu, 1960

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfiguredresschairwomanclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impasto techniques and color mixing to create depth and form with visible brushstrokes. Students will also learn to simplify complex forms into basic shapes and capture a likeness.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair using light pencil lines.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of green and red, leaving some areas unblended for texture.
step 03
Apply a base layer of red for the dress, focusing on the overall shape and folds.
step 04
Mix variations of red by adding small amounts of black, brown, or white to create shadows and highlights on the dress.
step 05
Use thick impasto strokes to build up the texture and volume of the dress, especially in the folds and highlights.
step 06
Paint the face and hands with careful attention to the values and proportions, using a limited palette of flesh tones.
step 07
Add the details of the lace collar and cuffs with small, precise brushstrokes.
step 08
Refine the overall composition by adjusting the values and colors as needed.

color palette

primary · red · green · white

secondary · black · brown · yellow

Achieve the various shades of red by mixing with black for shadows, white for highlights, and brown for warmth. The green is a mix of blues and yellows with touches of black and white for variation.

techniques