plate no. 8171

The Artist's Wife

Alexander Bogen, 1949

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurewomanflowersvasedress

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in capturing a likeness with expressive brushstrokes and understanding color relationships in skin tones and fabric. Students will learn to simplify forms and focus on capturing the overall mood and impression of the subject.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, vase, and background.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin building up layers of color, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 04
Pay attention to the subtle color variations in the skin tones, mixing different shades of red, yellow, and brown.
step 05
Define the features of the face with careful attention to light and shadow.
step 06
Add details to the dress and flowers, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Refine the background, blending colors and adding subtle variations in tone.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and form.

color palette

primary · red ochre · yellow ochre · viridian · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by blending red ochre, yellow ochre, and titanium white, adding small amounts of burnt umber or ultramarine blue to create shadows. Achieve the green hues by mixing viridian with yellow ochre.

techniques

·broken color
·alla prima
·color mixing
·expressive brushwork
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details
→Getting the proportions wrong
→Using colors that are too saturated
→Ignoring the overall value structure

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (red ochre, yellow ochre, viridian, titanium white, burnt umber, cadmium red light, ultramarine blue)
·Assorted brushes (round and flat, sizes 2-8)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags