plate no. 4305

Female Portrait

Margit Selska, 1960

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigureheadscarfwomanclothingbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice portrait proportions, color mixing for skin tones, and layering techniques to build depth and texture. The headscarf provides an opportunity to practice painting patterns and folds.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hand.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: background, skin, clothing, and headscarf, using thin washes.
step 03
Begin to refine the skin tones, mixing subtle variations of color for highlights and shadows.
step 04
Develop the details of the headscarf, paying attention to the folds and patterns.
step 05
Add depth to the clothing with darker shadows and subtle highlights.
step 06
Refine the background, adding texture and variation in color.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to the face and hands.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition, ensuring a cohesive and balanced image.

color palette

primary · red · blue · green · yellow ochre

secondary · orange · brown

Mix skin tones using a base of yellow ochre, white, and a touch of red. Create shadows by adding small amounts of burnt umber or brown. Achieve the headscarf colors by mixing blue with white and adding small amounts of red for the orange accents.

techniques