plate no. 1944

Young Girl Seated

Amedeo Modigliani, 1918

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfigurehairchairclothingheadwear

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting helps students practice simplifying forms and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive and expressive portrait. Students will also learn to capture the essence of a subject through stylized representation.

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, chair, and background, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the skin, hair, clothing, and background with thin washes of color.
step 03
Gradually build up the color intensity and value contrasts in each area, using visible brushstrokes.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the simplified shapes and subtle color variations.
step 05
Add details to the hair and clothing, using short, directional brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Define the edges of the forms with darker or lighter tones to create depth and separation.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value relationships to achieve a harmonious composition.
step 08
Add the signature in the top right corner.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · raw umber

Mix skin tones by blending yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create neutral grays for the background and clothing. Add small amounts of cadmium red to the cheeks and lips for warmth.

techniques

·simplified forms
·visible brushstrokes
·limited palette
·color blending
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details
→Getting bogged down in realism
→Ignoring the overall color harmony
→Incorrect proportions
→Uneven paint application

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt sienna, titanium white, ivory black, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, raw umber)
·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·Palette knife
·Palette
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags