plate no. 6113

Jeune Fille Française

Lois Mailou Jones, 1951

oilExpressionismportraitportraitstill lifefigureflowerstablefruit

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 composing a still life within a portrait.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and still life elements.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of dark, muted colors.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the figure's clothing, skin tones, and still life objects.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying attention to light and shadow to create form.
step 05
Develop the details of the still life, including the flowers, fruit, and teapot, using a variety of brushstrokes.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension throughout the painting.
step 07
Refine the brushwork, adding texture and interest to the surface.
step 08
Add final details and adjust colors as needed to achieve a cohesive and expressive result.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · cadmium yellow · viridian

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, titanium white, and small amounts of cadmium red and yellow. Create the blue of the dress by mixing ultramarine blue with white, and adjust the value with burnt umber.

techniques