plate no. 9573

Girl in a Red Dress

Charles Alston, 1934

oilExpressionismportraitfigureportraitdressbackgroundwindowhair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating depth with subtle value changes. It also offers practice in capturing a likeness and conveying a mood through expression.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, neck, and shoulders.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: the skin, dress, background, and collar.
step 03
Begin layering and blending colors to create the skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Develop the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Refine the dress and collar, adding subtle variations in color and texture.
step 06
Work on the background, creating depth and atmosphere with blended brushstrokes.
step 07
Add final details, such as the earring and any highlights.
step 08
Review and adjust the painting as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · red · blue-grey · brown · white

secondary · black · pink

Mix browns and reds with blues and whites to achieve the skin tones. Use varying amounts of white to create highlights and shadows. Mix red and white for the earring.

techniques