plate no. 5431

Portrait of Vera Mayer

Arturo Souto, 1952

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigurewomanhairclothingface

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in capturing likeness using simplified shapes and color blocks, while also developing skills in layering and blending to create form and texture. Students will learn to observe subtle color variations in skin tones and clothing.

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 head, shoulders, and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin, hair, clothing, and background, using thin washes.
step 03
Begin building up layers of color, focusing on the shadows and highlights to define the form.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the proportions and angles.
step 05
Add details to the hair and clothing, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Blend the edges of the color blocks to create a smoother transition.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth.
step 08
Review the painting and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green

Mix skin tones using yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white, with small amounts of red for warmth. Create the background green by mixing viridian green and yellow ochre. Achieve the blue of the shirt by mixing ultramarine blue with white and a touch of yellow ochre to soften it.

techniques

·blocking in
·layering
·blending
·broken brushstrokes
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early.
→Using too much paint.
→Not paying attention to the proportions of the face.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin tones.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, titanium white, cadmium red, viridian green)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits

optional