plate no. 4087

GIRL WITH ORANGE

Gerard Sekoto, 1942

oilExpressionismportraitfigureportraitorangeskyhandshair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portrait painting, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones with subtle color variations. Students will also practice creating a sense of depth through value and color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, orange, and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin, hair, dress, sky, and orange.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin to define the shadows and highlights on the figure's face and hands.
step 04
Refine the details of the face, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add details to the hair, creating texture and volume.
step 06
Develop the background, suggesting the landscape with simple shapes and colors.
step 07
Blend the colors together to create smooth transitions and soft edges.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to the orange and the figure's clothing.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium orange · alizarin crimson · sap green

Mix skin tones using yellow ochre, burnt umber, and white, with touches of alizarin crimson for warmth. Create shadows by adding ultramarine blue and burnt umber to the skin tone mixture.

techniques