plate no. 5527

Head of a Young Girl

Yasuo Kuniyoshi, 1937

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurefacehairclothingperson

some experience helpful

This painting helps develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing subtle facial expressions and using expressive brushstrokes to create texture. Students can learn to simplify forms and focus on essential details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the head, neck, and shoulders, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of green and yellow.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face with light and dark tones, focusing on the planes of the face.
step 04
Define the features (eyes, nose, mouth) with subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Paint the hair with loose, expressive brushstrokes, capturing the highlights and shadows.
step 06
Add details to the clothing and fur collar, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the edges and blend areas as needed to create a cohesive image.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create depth.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · viridian green · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix various shades of skin tones by combining white, raw umber, and a touch of red. Use green and yellow to create the background. Darken colors with ivory black sparingly.

techniques