plate no. 8965

Uma estudante

Anita Malfatti, 1916

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigurewomanchairclothingindoor

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create form and mood. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness with simplified shapes and colors.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of light blue and lavender.
step 03
Establish the main areas of color for the skin, clothing, and hair using thin washes.
step 04
Build up the colors in layers, adding darker values to create shadows and form.
step 05
Use short, directional brushstrokes to define the contours of the figure and clothing.
step 06
Add highlights to the face and clothing to create a sense of light and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details of the face and hands, paying attention to the proportions and expression.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · alizarin crimson · viridian green · purple · black

Mix various shades of yellow by combining cadmium yellow with yellow ochre and small amounts of burnt sienna. Create skin tones by mixing burnt sienna, alizarin crimson, and yellow ochre, adjusting the proportions to achieve the desired hue. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create dark browns and blacks.

techniques

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

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Getting bogged down in details and neglecting the overall composition.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them properly.
→Not paying enough attention to the proportions of the figure.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, cadmium yellow, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson, viridian green, black, titanium white)
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife