plate no. 4734

Girl in Scarf

Eugeniusz Zak, 1916

oilPost-Impressionismportraitfigureportraitscarfheadprofile

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering subtle skin tones and drapery folds. It also provides practice in creating a harmonious color palette.

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 head, scarf, and facial features.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with light washes of color, focusing on the shadows and highlights.
step 03
Begin layering colors to build up the skin tones, using a mix of warm and cool hues.
step 04
Develop the scarf, paying attention to the way the fabric drapes and folds.
step 05
Refine the facial features, adding details to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add texture and detail to the scarf using dry brush techniques.
step 07
Adjust the background color to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · Prussian blue · yellow ochre

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt sienna, white, and a touch of yellow ochre. Use raw umber and white for the scarf, and Prussian blue with white for the background.

techniques