plate no. 5782

Two woman and self-portrait bust

Rafael Zabaleta, 1939

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitfiguresportraitsclothinghairbackground

some experience helpful

This painting offers a chance to practice portraiture with a limited palette and visible brushstrokes, focusing on capturing likeness and mood. Students can learn to simplify forms and use color to create depth and dimension.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures and background.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with a thin wash of color.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones, mixing colors carefully to match the original.
step 04
Define the features of the faces, paying attention to the subtle variations in value and color.
step 05
Paint the clothing, using bold brushstrokes to create texture and form.
step 06
Develop the background with loose, expressive brushwork.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones by blending raw umber, burnt sienna, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create grays for the clothing and background. Add small amounts of cadmium red light to warm up the skin tones and create highlights.

techniques