plate no. 2543

Friends

Helene Schjerfbeck, 1942

oilExpressionismportraitfiguresportraitsclothingfaceshairfriendship

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex forms and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive and expressive portrait. It also encourages experimentation with visible brushstrokes to add texture and interest.

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 and proportions of the two figures, focusing on their relative positions and sizes.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark, neutral color, leaving some areas slightly lighter to suggest depth.
step 03
Mix a light blue-gray color and apply it to the clothing of the figure on the left, using loose, visible brushstrokes.
step 04
Mix a slightly darker blue and apply it to the clothing of the figure on the right, varying the tone slightly to create shadows and highlights.
step 05
Mix a pale yellow-white color and apply it to the hair of the figure on the left, using short, choppy brushstrokes to suggest texture.
step 06
Mix a pale white-gray color and apply it to the face of the figure on the right, using subtle variations in tone to create form.
step 07
Add details to the faces, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using a fine brush and a dark color.
step 08
Refine the overall composition by adjusting the colors and values as needed, and adding any final details.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber

Mix blues with white to create the various shades for the clothing. Use black and umber sparingly to darken the blues and create shadows. Add a touch of yellow ochre to the white for the hair color.

techniques

·simplified shapes
·limited palette
·visible brushstrokes
·color mixing
·layering

common pitfalls

→overworking the details
→using too many colors
→creating muddy colors
→losing the simplicity of the original
→inaccurate proportions

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 or similar)
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·flat brush (size 8)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil or acrylic medium
·mineral spirits or water (for cleaning)

optional

·easel
·painting rags
·apron

Use a canvas with a medium texture to enhance the visibility of the brushstrokes. Acrylics are recommended for beginners due to their faster drying time.

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