plate no. 3555

Woman with a Red Necklace

Amedeo Modigliani, 1918

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfigurenecklacedresswomanhands

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying forms, mixing skin tones, and creating a sense of depth with subtle color variations. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of a subject with minimal detail.

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, focusing on the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of gray-green paint, varying the tones slightly.
step 03
Establish the main areas of skin tone with a base layer of ochre and white, adding touches of red for the cheeks and hands.
step 04
Paint the dress with a mix of dark blue and black, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value.
step 05
Add the red necklace, using a bright red and varying the size and shape of the beads.
step 06
Refine the facial features, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 07
Add details to the hands, capturing the gesture and form with simple shapes.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values, ensuring that the painting has a sense of harmony and balance.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · raw umber

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, ochre, and a touch of red. The dress color is a mix of ultramarine blue and a small amount of black or burnt umber. The background is a mix of white, raw umber, and a touch of blue or green.

techniques

·blocking in
·scumbling
·color mixing
·simplifying forms
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the original.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
→Failing to capture the proportions of the figure accurately.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in tone and color.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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