plate no. 4501

Girl from Eydtkuhnen II

Helene Schjerfbeck, 1927

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigureleavesabstractwoman

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying forms, using a limited color palette, and creating a sense of depth through layering and subtle value changes. It also encourages expressive brushwork and capturing a mood rather than a realistic likeness.

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 of the figure, leaves, and background.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of burnt umber as an underpainting for the entire canvas.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, background, and the blue garment.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the simplified shapes and subtle shading.
step 05
Add the darker leaf shapes, varying the tone and edges.
step 06
Develop the geometric shapes of the garment with light blue and cream colors.
step 07
Introduce subtle variations in the background to create depth.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · light blue

secondary · raw sienna · ivory black · red

Mix skin tones by combining burnt umber, titanium white, and a touch of red. Achieve the light blue by mixing titanium white with a small amount of blue. Vary the background with subtle mixes of burnt umber, raw sienna, and white.

techniques