plate no. 1043

Portrait of Mrs. Zimmerman

Prudence Heward, 1943

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurechairinteriorwomanskirt

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, and understanding color temperature and how it affects form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of green and brown.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, clothing, and chair, focusing on the overall values.
step 04
Begin to refine the skin tones, using subtle variations of color to create form and depth.
step 05
Develop the details of the hair, using small brushstrokes to suggest texture and volume.
step 06
Add the details of the clothing and chair, paying attention to the patterns and textures.
step 07
Refine the background, adding subtle variations of color and value to create depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · viridian

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Use viridian and burnt umber to create the green background, adjusting the ratio for different shades.

techniques