plate no. 1439

Portrait of Zofia Romer

Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz, 1935

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurehairfaceclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in capturing likeness, understanding tonal values, and using expressive linework to convey form and emotion. It also provides practice in creating depth and texture with a limited color palette.

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, neck, and shoulders, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Refine the sketch, adding details like the eyes, nose, mouth, and hairline.
step 03
Begin adding darker values with charcoal or graphite to define the shadows and contours of the face and hair.
step 04
Use a blending stump or your finger to soften some of the lines and create smoother transitions between values.
step 05
Add highlights with a white chalk or pastel to create contrast and dimension.
step 06
Focus on capturing the unique features and expression of the subject.
step 07
Refine the details of the hair, clothing, and background.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt umber · white chalk

secondary · red ochre

Mix raw umber and white chalk to create lighter skin tones. Use burnt umber for the darkest shadows. Add a touch of red ochre to warm up the skin tones.

techniques

·hatching
·cross-hatching
·blending
·tonal shading
·expressive linework

common pitfalls

→Overworking the drawing and losing the spontaneity of the original.
→Failing to capture the correct proportions of the face.
→Not creating enough contrast between light and dark values.
→Ignoring the subtle details that make the portrait unique.

materials

surface · toned paper

required

·toned paper
·charcoal pencils
·graphite pencils
·white chalk or pastel
·blending stump
·kneaded eraser
·fixative spray

optional

·tortillon
·sandpaper block
·ruler

Choose a toned paper that complements the colors in the original painting. Experiment with different grades of charcoal and graphite pencils to achieve a range of values.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

chat about this artwork

in this vein