plate no. 7493

Girl with a Milk Can

Boris Grigoriev, 1917

oilExpressionismportraitportraitgirlmilk canrural scenefiguresanimals

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding how to create depth and atmosphere through color and brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the girl, the milk can, and the background elements.
step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the skin, hair, clothing, and background.
step 03
Begin layering the skin tones, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color and value.
step 04
Develop the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Paint the milk can, focusing on the highlights and shadows to create a sense of form.
step 06
Add details to the clothing, such as the collar and the folds in the fabric.
step 07
Develop the background elements, including the figures, animals, and buildings.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting colors, values, and details as needed.

color palette

primary · red · ochre · white

secondary · blue · brown · grey

Mix skin tones using ochre, red, and white, with touches of blue and brown for shadows. Achieve the grey of the milk can by mixing white, black, and a touch of blue.

techniques