plate no. 4511

Mulher do Pará (no balcão)

Anita Malfatti, 1927

oilPost-Impressionismportraitfigurebalconyportraitdressplantwindow

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing to achieve subtle skin tones, and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in depicting light and shadow to create form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's proportions and placement on the balcony.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: skin tones, dress, background, and balcony.
step 03
Begin layering colors to build up the skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Develop the texture of the dress using visible brushstrokes and variations in color.
step 05
Paint the background, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 06
Add details to the figure's hair, jewelry, and clothing.
step 07
Refine the balcony and plant, adding details to create a sense of realism.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · ivory black

Mix yellow ochre and white for the dress and skin tones. Use burnt umber to create shadows and depth. Add small amounts of cadmium red for the lips and cheeks.

techniques