plate no. 9975

Montserrat Caballé

Alejandro Cabeza, 2018

oilContemporary Realismportraitportraitfigurewomanclothingfacehair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering form with loose brushstrokes. It also provides practice in mixing subtle skin tones and creating a sense of depth with a limited color palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of burnt umber and raw sienna.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face and clothing using a limited palette.
step 04
Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of alizarin crimson.
step 05
Apply paint in loose, expressive brushstrokes, following the form of the face and body.
step 06
Refine the details of the face, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Add highlights to the hair and clothing to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Adjust the overall values and colors to achieve a harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · alizarin crimson · viridian green

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of alizarin crimson. The green of the clothing is created by mixing viridian green with burnt umber and raw sienna.

techniques