plate no. 7379

Portrait of a Woman on a Blue Background

Chaim Soutine, 1928

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfigurewomanclothinghandsface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice expressive brushwork and learn how to simplify complex forms into basic shapes and colors. It also provides an opportunity to explore color temperature and create depth using value contrast.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure: head, neck, shoulders, and hands.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark blue, varying the tone slightly for interest.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light on the face, neck, and hands with a warm yellow-orange.
step 04
Add darker values to define the shadows on the face and clothing, using a mix of blue and brown.
step 05
Introduce secondary colors like green and red to add depth and complexity to the skin tones and clothing.
step 06
Refine the details of the face and hands, paying attention to the expressive brushstrokes.
step 07
Add highlights to the face and hands to create a sense of form.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve the desired mood and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

secondary · viridian green · alizarin crimson

Mix ultramarine blue with burnt sienna to create dark shadows. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to create warm skin tones. Add small amounts of alizarin crimson for warmth and viridian green for cool shadows.

techniques

·expressive brushstrokes
·color layering
·value blocking
·wet-on-dry blending
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to establish a strong value contrast.
→Not simplifying the forms enough.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, alizarin crimson, viridian green, titanium white)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits

optional