plate no. 6235

Girl with Accordion

oilRealismportraitfigureportraitheadscarfbookclothinggirl

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and subtle lighting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, headscarf, and book.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin, dark wash, focusing on the overall value.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, clothing, and headscarf.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the placement and shape of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the folds and highlights in the clothing, using subtle variations in tone and color.
step 06
Add details to the headscarf, including the pattern and texture.
step 07
Refine the book, adding details like the edges of the pages and any visible text.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create depth.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of skin tones using white, yellow ochre, raw umber, and a touch of red. Use ivory black and raw umber to create the dark background. Add small amounts of ultramarine blue to darken shadows.

techniques