plate no. 9784

Portrait of Rosa Schapire

Walter Gramatté, 1920

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurechairclothingjewelryindoor

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and expressive brushwork to convey emotion and form. It also encourages simplification of shapes and forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the background, clothing, and skin, focusing on overall tones.
step 03
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the unique characteristics of the subject.
step 04
Add details to the clothing and jewelry, using simplified shapes and colors.
step 05
Define the chair and its structure with bold brushstrokes.
step 06
Introduce subtle color variations and highlights to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final touches and details, such as the signature and any remaining highlights.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · burnt umber · sap green

Mix various shades of blue and yellow for the background. Use white to create tints of the primary colors for the clothing and skin. Burnt umber and red can be mixed for shadows.

techniques