plate no. 2115
Hélène
Alexej von Jawlensky, 1911
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice expressive color choices and bold brushstrokes to convey form and emotion. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, focusing on proportions and placement within the canvas.
- step 02
Block in the background with dark blue, ensuring even coverage.
- step 03
Apply the base colors for the skin, using yellows and greens, and blend roughly.
- step 04
Paint the clothing with dark blue, using visible brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 05
Add the red and orange flowers, focusing on their rounded shapes and placement.
- step 06
Define the facial features with darker greens and reds, paying attention to the eyes and mouth.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to the face and hands to create depth.
- step 08
Refine the edges and details, making sure to maintain the expressive brushwork.
color palette
primary · Prussian Blue · Cadmium Yellow · Cadmium Red
secondary · Emerald Green · Crimson · Orange
Mix greens by combining yellow and blue. Create skin tones by blending yellow, red, and a touch of green. Darken colors with Prussian Blue.
techniques
- ·Impasto
- ·Color layering
- ·Expressive brushwork
- ·Simplification of form
- ·Color temperature
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending the colors, losing the expressive brushstrokes.
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
- →Using colors that are too saturated or unnatural.
- →Not simplifying the forms enough.
- →Ignoring the importance of value contrast.
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Round brushes (#4, #8)
- ·Flat brushes (#6, #10)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits (if using oils)
optional
- ·Painting medium (e.g., linseed oil or acrylic glazing medium)
- ·Easel
- ·Rags
Use a limited palette to simplify color mixing. Consider using a textured canvas to enhance the brushwork.
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