plate no. 1540

Portrait of Mrs. Amalia Gutierrez-Solana

Jose Gutierrez Solana, 1924

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfigureclothinghatfacewoman

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and expression, and in using visible brushstrokes to create texture and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and main clothing elements.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of muted greens and browns, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the skin, clothing, and hat, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 04
Refine the facial features, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth to capture the likeness of the subject.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the collar, buttons, and folds, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Develop the highlights and shadows to create a sense of form and volume.
step 07
Add final touches and details, such as the earrings and the texture of the hat.
step 08
Review the painting and make any necessary adjustments to the composition, color, or value.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · cadmium red · titanium white

secondary · sap green · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, sienna, and a touch of red. Muted greens are created by mixing sap green with burnt umber. Vary the red by adding touches of brown or blue.

techniques

·Blocking in
·Visible brushstrokes
·Color mixing
·Layering
·Scumbling

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the colors, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
→Getting the proportions wrong, leading to an inaccurate likeness.
→Ignoring the value structure, making the painting appear muddy or washed out.
→Being too timid with the brushstrokes, failing to capture the texture and energy of the original.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, cadmium red, titanium white, sap green, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre)
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags