plate no. 6906

Samaritana

Julio Romero de Torres, 1920

oilSymbolismreligious paintingfigureswomanmanpotlandscapereligious

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, figure drawing, and creating subtle gradations of color to model form. It also provides practice in rendering metallic surfaces and drapery.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of figures and the pot.
step 02
Establish the background with thin washes of color, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures, paying attention to the overall values.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle shading.
step 05
Develop the drapery, using soft blending to create folds and highlights.
step 06
Render the metallic pot, using highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and shine.
step 07
Add details such as jewelry, hair, and subtle textures.
step 08
Make final adjustments to values and colors to create a harmonious and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna or alizarin crimson. Use ultramarine blue and raw umber to create muted grays and blues for the background and clothing. Mix ivory black with ultramarine blue for the darks.

techniques