plate no. 4016

Girl

oilExpressionismportraitfigureportraitdressstoolseatedinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, capturing likeness, and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive and expressive artwork. Students will also learn to create subtle shading and highlights to define form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and stool.
step 02
Establish the basic shapes of the figure, paying attention to the pose and gesture.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, dress, background, and stool.
step 04
Develop the values within each area, adding shadows and highlights to create form.
step 05
Add the details of the dress pattern using light blue pastel or colored pencil.
step 06
Refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness and expression.
step 07
Adjust the overall balance of values and colors, ensuring a harmonious composition.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the drawing.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · white · light blue

secondary · red-brown · tan

Mix burnt umber and white to create various shades of brown for the skin tones and background. Use light blue sparingly for the dress pattern and subtle highlights.

techniques

·hatching
·cross-hatching
·blending
·scumbling
·value shading

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the drawing.
→Getting the proportions wrong, especially in the figure.
→Using too much color and creating a muddy effect.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point.

materials

surface · toned paper (tan or brown)

required

·toned paper (tan or brown)
·charcoal pencils (soft, medium, hard)
·white pastel pencil
·light blue colored pencil or pastel
·kneaded eraser
·blending stump
·fixative spray

optional

·ruler
·grid for proportions

Choose a toned paper that complements the colors in the painting. Experiment with different charcoal and pastel pencils to achieve the desired effects.

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