plate no. 2327
Madame Pompadour
Amedeo Modigliani, 1914
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplified portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating a sense of depth with minimal detail. It also encourages expressive brushwork and capturing a mood rather than precise realism.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, hat, and background.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin, hat, dress, and background.
- step 03
Mix a range of skin tones using red, yellow, white, and a touch of blue.
- step 04
Apply the skin tones, blending softly to create smooth transitions.
- step 05
Define the features of the face with simple lines and shadows.
- step 06
Paint the hat using black and white, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 07
Add details to the dress and background, using loose brushstrokes.
- step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed.
color palette
primary · burnt sienna · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber
secondary · Prussian blue · cadmium red light
Mix skin tones by combining burnt sienna, white, and small amounts of red and blue. Use raw umber and black for the hat, lightening with white. The background is a mix of white, blue, and raw umber.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·color mixing
- ·simplified form
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality.
- →Using too much detail in the face.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
- →Not paying attention to the overall composition and balance.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oils)
- ·odorless mineral spirits (if using oils)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·apron
Use a canvas with a smooth surface for easier blending. Acrylics are faster to dry, but oils allow for more blending time.
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