plate no. 4767

The Dancer

Greta Freist, 1938

oilMagic Realismself-portraitfiguredraperyportraitfabricskin tonesshadows

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, figure drawing, and rendering realistic skin tones and fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating depth and form through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions, paying attention to anatomical accuracy.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark, neutral tone, establishing the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin layering the skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 04
Carefully render the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness and expression of the subject.
step 05
Paint the drapery, paying attention to the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume and texture.
step 06
Add details to the fabric and other elements, refining the overall composition.
step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to adjust the tones and create a sense of depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the realism and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and white to create the blue fabric, adjusting with black for shadows.

techniques