Seated Young Woman by Amedeo Modigliani

plate no. 2078

Seated Young Woman

Amedeo Modigliani, 1918

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitfigureportraitchairinteriorwomanmodernist

experienced study

Students would develop skills in expressive portraiture and color temperature relationships, while learning to simplify forms and create emotional impact through distortion and bold color choices.

technical profile

palette complexity

3

brushwork visibility

4

value contrast

4

compositional simplicity

4

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Start with a simplified line drawing, emphasizing the elongated neck and oval face characteristic of Modigliani's style
step 02
Block in the major color areas: green background, black dress, and warm flesh tones
step 03
Establish the chair form with burnt sienna and define the spatial relationships
step 04
Develop the face with warm peachy tones, keeping features simplified and stylized
step 05
Add the coral/orange accents on the cheeks and lips for warmth
step 06
Work the background with varied greens, allowing brushstrokes to show
step 07
Refine the hands with simplified forms and warm flesh tones
step 08
Final touches on facial features, keeping them minimal and expressive

color palette

primary · viridian green · ivory black · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium orange · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · vermillion

Mix warm flesh tones with white, raw sienna, and touches of orange. Create varied greens by mixing viridian with white and touches of ochre.

techniques

·direct painting
·color blocking
·expressive brushwork
·form simplification
·warm-cool color contrast

common pitfalls

→Overworking facial features
→Making proportions too realistic
→Using too many colors
→Losing the bold simplicity of forms

materials

surface · primed canvas or canvas board

required

·#8 flat brush
·#4 flat brush
·#2 round brush
·viridian green oil paint
·ivory black oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·raw sienna oil paint
·cadmium orange oil paint
·canvas 16x20 or 18x24

optional

·palette knife
·painting medium
·burnt sienna
·yellow ochre

This modernist style requires confidence in bold color application and willingness to simplify forms dramatically

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