plate no. 7167

Girl in White

Nicolae Tonitza, 1924

oilExpressionismportraitbabyportraitpillowbedfigureinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting soft textures and subtle color variations to create a gentle, intimate mood. It also provides practice in capturing the likeness of a human face with simplified forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the baby, pillow, and background, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, starting with the background.
step 03
Gradually build up layers of color on the baby's face and clothing, focusing on subtle value changes.
step 04
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 05
Define the edges of the pillow and blanket with slightly darker values.
step 06
Create texture in the background by dabbing and stippling paint.
step 07
Add the red and white striped object in the bottom right corner.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and add any final details.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · cadmium red light · sap green

Achieve the soft, muted tones by mixing white with small amounts of yellow ochre, raw umber, and a touch of red or green. Use thin glazes to build up color gradually.

techniques