plate no. 3728

The white skirt

Balthus, 1937

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitfigurechairdraperyportraitclothingroom

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict fabric folds and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's pose and the placement of the chair and drapery.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of muted gray-green.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, chair, and drapery with simplified color masses.
step 04
Begin refining the figure's features, paying attention to proportions and subtle value changes in the skin tones.
step 05
Develop the folds and shadows in the white skirt and shirt, using a limited palette of whites, creams, and grays.
step 06
Add details to the chair and drapery, such as the wood grain and the pattern on the fabric.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · ivory black

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of red. Achieve the off-white color of the skirt by mixing white with small amounts of raw umber and yellow ochre.

techniques

·blocking in
·blending
·scumbling
·glazing
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
→Ignoring the subtle shifts in color temperature.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, raw umber, burnt sienna, yellow ochre, cadmium red, viridian green, ivory black)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife