plate no. 5454

Portrait of a Woman

oil, canvasNaïve Art (Primitivism)portraitportraitwomangardentreesflowerscat

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplified forms, layering, and creating depth through color and scale. It also encourages observation of details in nature and translating them into stylized representations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the woman, dress, and background elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the dress, skin tones, foliage, and sky.
step 03
Start layering details in the background, focusing on the different types of plants and flowers.
step 04
Refine the details of the woman's face and hands, paying attention to the simplified forms.
step 05
Add the details of the cat and the ball of yarn.
step 06
Adjust the values and colors to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to the flowers and foliage.
step 08
Touch up any areas that need refinement.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Yellow Ochre · Titanium White

secondary · Cadmium Red · Viridian Green

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and prussian blue. Create skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, cadmium red, and titanium white. Use white to lighten the blues and greens for the sky and foliage.

techniques