plate no. 3992

First Day at the Orphanage

Thérèse Schwartze, 1906

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguregirlheadscarfclothingchild

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing subtle skin tones and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating a focal point through careful use of light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the head, headscarf, and clothing, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the background with a muted green-brown mix, using loose brushstrokes.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, red and black clothing, and white headscarf.
step 04
Begin refining the skin tones, layering light and shadow to create form.
step 05
Develop the details of the headscarf, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 06
Refine the clothing, adding subtle variations in color and texture.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the eyes, lips, and any stray hairs.
step 08
Glaze to unify the painting and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. The background is a mix of burnt umber, black, and a touch of green. The red is muted with a touch of black or umber.

techniques