plate no. 2195

Annie of the Royal Bafokeng

Maggie Laubser, 1945

oilExpressionismportraitportraitwomanflowerslandscapeheadscarfsky

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating a sense of depth through layering and atmospheric perspective. Students will also learn to simplify complex forms and capture expressive qualities with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, flowers, and landscape.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: skin, headscarf, background, and flowers.
step 03
Develop the skin tones using a range of browns, yellows, and reds, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Add details to the headscarf, blending colors to create form and texture.
step 05
Paint the flowers with bold strokes, capturing their unique shapes and colors.
step 06
Refine the background, adding details to the landscape and sky.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to the portrait, focusing on the eyes and facial features.
step 08
Review and adjust colors and values as needed to achieve a cohesive and expressive result.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · cadmium red

secondary · titanium white · sap green · raw sienna

Mix browns and yellows with white to create lighter skin tones. Use blues and greens for the background, and reds and oranges for the flowers. Mix complementary colors to create muted tones.

techniques