plate no. 5537

Gypsy Head

Frederick Varley, 1919

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurewomanscarfhairred background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing, and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness and conveying emotion through facial expression.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head and shoulders.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of red paint, varying the tone slightly.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face and clothing.
step 04
Mix and apply the base skin tones, focusing on accurate color matching.
step 05
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value.
step 06
Paint the hair, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Add the scarf, capturing its folds and highlights.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · red · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · cadmium orange · ivory black

Skin tones can be achieved by mixing burnt umber, yellow ochre, and titanium white. Vary the proportions to create different shades and highlights. The red background can be lightened with white or darkened with burnt umber.

techniques