plate no. 5392
Portrét Zuzky Zgurišky
Josef Sima, 1933
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and creating depth through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in rendering fabric and hair texture.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the outline of the figure, focusing on proportions and the angle of the head and shoulders.
- step 02
Block in the background with a dark, muted color, establishing the overall value range.
- step 03
Begin layering the skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
- step 04
Mix and apply the base color for the dress, then add darker and lighter shades to create folds and texture.
- step 05
Work on the hair, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest volume and texture.
- step 06
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 07
Add details such as the bracelet and any subtle highlights on the skin and dress.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to achieve a cohesive and balanced composition.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white · viridian green
secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue
Skin tones are achieved by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, and titanium white, with small amounts of cadmium red light for warmth. The green is a mix of viridian green and yellow ochre, darkened with burnt umber.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overblending the skin tones, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
- →Failing to capture the subtle nuances of the facial features.
- →Making the background too uniform and lacking depth.
- →Using too much green without balancing it with other colors.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Oil paints (burnt umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, viridian green, cadmium red light, ultramarine blue)
- ·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·Palette
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for layering and blending. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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