plate no. 4910

Portrait of Mrs. Zofia Brzeska

Teodor Axentowicz, 1911

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)portraitportraitwomandresschairfigurefabric

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering delicate fabrics. It also provides practice in creating subtle tonal variations and soft brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, blended strokes of muted browns and grays.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the dress, chair, and red shawl.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to light and shadow.
step 05
Develop the details of the dress, using thin washes and dry brush techniques to suggest lace and texture.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the chair and shawl to create depth.
step 07
Refine the background and adjust values to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black · yellow ochre

Achieve the subtle skin tones by mixing white, raw umber, and a touch of red. The dress is primarily white with subtle variations created by adding small amounts of raw umber and yellow ochre.

techniques

·portraiture
·blending
·dry brushing
·glazing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details of the dress, resulting in a stiff or unnatural appearance.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Creating harsh transitions between light and shadow.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the white dress.