plate no. 6007

Portrait of Rebeca Matte

Vittorio Matteo Corcos, 1929

oil, canvasRealismportraitportraitfiguredressbustdraperycolumn

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating subtle value gradations to suggest form and depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figure, bust, and background elements.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using a limited palette of grays and whites.
step 03
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow patterns to create a sense of depth.
step 04
Develop the details of the dress, focusing on the intricate patterns and textures.
step 05
Render the drapery and background elements, using soft blending techniques to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the bust to create a three-dimensional effect.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and contrast to create a cohesive and balanced composition.
step 08
Add final details and refine edges to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · payne's gray · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of gray by combining ivory black and titanium white. Add small amounts of raw umber or yellow ochre to create warmer or cooler tones.

techniques