plate no. 2346

Girl in Profile

Eugeniusz Zak, 1921

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigureheadscarfprofileclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating subtle gradations of light and shadow. It also provides practice in capturing the likeness of a subject in profile.

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 proportions of the head, neck, and headscarf.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of dark green.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, headscarf, and clothing using slightly diluted paint.
step 04
Begin to build up the skin tones, focusing on the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 05
Refine the shape and folds of the headscarf, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 06
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson

secondary · viridian green · raw umber

Achieve skin tones by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Darken the green background by mixing viridian green with raw umber.

techniques