plate no. 6221

Woman with Arms Folded

Chaim Soutine, 1929

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfigurewomanclothinghandsface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and capturing a likeness with simplified forms and limited color palette. It also provides practice in creating depth and form using value and color temperature changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hands.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark blue, varying the tone slightly to create depth.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face and neck using a limited palette of yellows, oranges, and reds.
step 04
Paint the clothing with a dark, neutral color, adding subtle variations in tone and texture.
step 05
Refine the features of the face, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add details to the hands, simplifying the forms and focusing on the overall gesture.
step 07
Use expressive brushstrokes to create texture and movement throughout the painting.
step 08
Adjust the values and colors as needed to create a cohesive and expressive portrait.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red light · burnt umber

Mix various shades of blue for the background by adding black or white. Create skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of blue. Use burnt umber to darken the blacks and create shadows.

techniques

·expressive brushwork
·color temperature variation
·simplified forms
·alla prima
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details of the face
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing
→Losing the overall gesture and expression
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast
→Getting bogged down in details too early

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, ivory black, cadmium red light, burnt umber)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·selection of brushes (round and flat)
·rags