plate no. 0437

Portrait of seated blonde woman

Rafael Zabaleta, 1944

oilExpressionismportraitportraitwomanchairdressfigurehair

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice simplified portraiture and color mixing to achieve a specific mood. Students can also learn about creating form with subtle shading and defining shapes with line work.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, chair, and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: the yellow dress, the skin tones, the blue background, and the black chair.
step 03
Add the darker green lines to define the folds and contours of the dress.
step 04
Mix and apply subtle shading to the face, arms, and dress to create form.
step 05
Paint the details of the hair, using a dry brush technique to create texture.
step 06
Add the light blue accents on the dress and the details of the chair.
step 07
Refine the outlines and add any final details, such as the ring on the finger.
step 08
Allow to dry and add a varnish if desired.

color palette

primary · yellow · sky blue · black · flesh tone

secondary · green · white

The flesh tone is achieved by mixing white, yellow, and a touch of red. The green in the dress is a mix of yellow and black. The sky blue is a mix of blue and white.

techniques