plate no. 3654

Head of a girl

Kuzmá Petrov-Vodkin, 1922

oilSymbolismportraitportraitgirlheadhairclothingnecklace

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice portrait painting, focusing on subtle color transitions and capturing a likeness. Students can also learn about layering and glazing techniques to achieve depth and luminosity.

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 head, hair, and clothing on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color using thin washes, establishing the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin layering colors to build up the skin tones, paying attention to subtle shifts in hue and value.
step 04
Define the facial features, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, with careful attention to detail.
step 05
Add details to the hair, clothing, and necklace, using smaller brushes and finer strokes.
step 06
Glaze thin layers of color over the painting to unify the composition and create depth.
step 07
Refine the edges and details, making adjustments as needed to achieve a likeness.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones by blending white, umber, and small amounts of red and yellow. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the gray background and shadows. Vary the proportions to achieve different shades and hues.

techniques