plate no. 1170

Girl Getting Haircut

Elmer Bischoff, 1962

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfigureinteriormirrorhairreflection

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and using a limited palette to create a cohesive mood. It also provides an opportunity to explore expressive brushwork and capturing figures in a loose, painterly style.

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 composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the mirror.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the darkest tones and working towards the lighter ones.
step 03
Mix a range of browns and reds for the background and figures, varying the intensity and temperature slightly.
step 04
Add the lighter values to the figures' clothing and faces, paying attention to the light source.
step 05
Use thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest.
step 06
Define the edges of the shapes with darker values, but avoid creating hard lines.
step 07
Add details to the hair and clothing, using smaller brushes and more controlled strokes.
step 08
Refine the composition and adjust the values as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Mix browns by combining burnt umber and raw sienna. Add white to create lighter tones. Use small amounts of red and blue to adjust the temperature of the browns.

techniques