plate no. 7619

Girl from Loviisa

Helene Schjerfbeck, 1941

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurefacehairneutral background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying forms and using a limited color palette to create a cohesive and expressive portrait. It also encourages experimentation with subtle value shifts to define the subject's features.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the head, hair, and shoulders, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of a neutral color (e.g., raw umber mixed with white) as an underpainting.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: skin tone, hair, and clothing, using simplified shapes.
step 04
Mix a range of skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and brown.
step 05
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 06
Add darker tones to define shadows and create depth.
step 07
Use soft blending to smooth transitions between colors.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to the face and hair.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · burnt sienna · ivory black · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones by combining white, yellow ochre, and small amounts of red and brown. Use raw umber and black to create darker tones for shadows and clothing. Add white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques