plate no. 0293

Two seated women

Rafael Zabaleta, 1935

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitfigureswomenportraitlandscapeskyhills

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating depth through layering and atmospheric perspective. Students can also practice simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

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 of the figures and the landscape.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, clothing, sky, and hills.
step 03
Start layering in darker values to define the forms and create shadows.
step 04
Mix subtle variations of skin tones and apply them with visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Add details to the faces and hands, focusing on capturing the expressions.
step 06
Refine the background landscape, adding depth with lighter values in the distance.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and contrast to match the original painting.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson · viridian

Mix skin tones using white, raw umber, burnt sienna, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Create the sky by mixing ultramarine blue with white and a hint of raw umber. Use viridian and raw umber for the greens in the landscape.

techniques

·blocking in
·layering
·dry brush blending
·scumbling
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive brushstrokes.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in skin tones.
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast in creating form.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints: titanium white, raw umber, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, viridian
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife