plate no. 4493

Portrait of his sister Sagrario

Esteban Vicente, 1925

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurewomangreenbackgroundclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing, and creating subtle variations in tone. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness and conveying a sense of mood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, green shirt, and background.
step 03
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the angles and proportions.
step 04
Add shadows and highlights to create depth and dimension in the face and clothing.
step 05
Mix and apply subtle color variations to the green shirt to create texture and interest.
step 06
Soften edges and blend colors to create a smooth, painterly effect.
step 07
Add final details, such as highlights in the eyes and subtle variations in the background.
step 08
Review and adjust the painting as needed to achieve a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · viridian green · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · ivory black

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna. Green is created by mixing viridian green with white and raw umber for darker shades.

techniques