plate no. 0645

Lucia Sturdza Bulandra in The Madwoman of Chaillot

George Stefanescu, 1972

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfigurehatclothingjewelryexpressionism

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering paint, creating texture with brushstrokes, and understanding color relationships in an expressive style. Students will also learn to capture a likeness while prioritizing emotional impact over precise realism.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, hat, and torso.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a mix of browns and greens.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: red for the dress, yellow for the hat, and greens/blues for the surrounding details.
step 04
Begin layering paint, using short, visible brushstrokes to build up texture and color variation.
step 05
Focus on the face, adding details to the eyes, nose, and mouth to capture the subject's expression.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension, paying attention to the light source.
step 07
Refine the details of the clothing and jewelry, using smaller brushstrokes to add texture and sparkle.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve the desired emotional impact.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · viridian green · burnt umber

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Achieve the earthy tones by mixing browns, greens, and blues. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix small amounts of complementary colors to create muted shades.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·scumbling
·dry brush
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the colors, which can result in a muddy appearance.
→Losing the overall structure of the composition by focusing too much on small details.
→Not creating enough contrast between light and dark areas.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them, which can make the painting look flat.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (cadmium red, yellow ochre, viridian green, burnt umber, ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson, titanium white)
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·rags