plate no. 9816

Perfil de Zulmira

Lasar Segall, 1928

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigureprofilegeometric shapesabstract background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice portraiture with simplified forms and explore color relationships in both the figure and background. It also provides an opportunity to learn about creating depth through layering and color temperature.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the figure's head and shoulders, and the basic geometric forms in the background.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the skin tone, hair, dress, and background, focusing on getting the values generally correct.
step 03
Refine the skin tones by layering different shades of brown, red, and purple, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value.
step 04
Add details to the face, such as the eye, nose, and mouth, using darker values to define the features.
step 05
Develop the background by adding more layers of color and texture to the geometric shapes.
step 06
Add the small details, such as the buttons on the dress and the decorative elements in the background.
step 07
Refine the edges of the shapes and forms to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall composition.

color palette

primary · red · brown · white · yellow

secondary · purple · orange · ochre

Achieve the skin tones by mixing browns, reds, and purples with white. Use yellow and white to create the lighter background elements. Mix orange and brown for the darker background areas.

techniques