plate no. 1525

Portrait of a lady in red

Jan Sluyters, 1912

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurewomanhatchairclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing, and capturing light and shadow with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in simplifying forms and focusing on key elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, chair, and hat.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: red for the dress, blue for the hat, black for the skirt, and a neutral tone for the background.
step 03
Start refining the facial features, paying attention to the light and shadow on the face.
step 04
Add details to the hat, capturing its texture and form with short, visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Develop the folds and shadows in the dress and skirt.
step 06
Work on the chair, using a limited palette to suggest its form and texture.
step 07
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in color and tone.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix various shades of red by adding white, burnt umber, or a touch of blue. Create the hat's blues by mixing ultramarine with white and small amounts of other colors to achieve subtle variations. Use white with a touch of yellow ochre and burnt umber for the skin tones.

techniques

·blocking in
·visible brushstrokes
·color mixing
·portraiture
·simplification of forms

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff or unnatural look.
→Incorrect proportions of the figure.
→Muddying the colors by over-mixing.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in light and shadow.
→Not capturing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·acrylic or oil paints
·#4 round brush
·#6 flat brush
·#8 flat brush
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil (if using oil paints)

optional

·medium gloss
·easel
·painting rags

Using a limited palette will help to create a cohesive and harmonious painting. Experiment with different brushstrokes to achieve the desired texture and effect.

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