plate no. 8485

Woman with a Hat

Bertalan Por, 1905

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitwomanhatfigureclothingshadow

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and expression with loose brushwork. It also provides practice in simplifying forms and using a limited color palette to create depth and atmosphere.

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 of the figure, hat, and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color with thin washes, focusing on value.
step 03
Build up the darker areas of the figure and hat with thicker paint.
step 04
Add highlights to the face and clothing to create form.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, paying attention to the eyes and mouth.
step 06
Use short, expressive brushstrokes to create texture and movement.
step 07
Soften edges where necessary to blend the forms together.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Mix black and umber for the dark areas, adding white to create lighter shades. Use yellow ochre and white for the skin tones, with a touch of red for the cheeks and lips.

techniques