plate no. 1204

Katkelma

Helene Schjerfbeck, 1905

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurewomanhairprofileabstract background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors, creating texture with brushstrokes, and capturing subtle tonal variations in skin tones. It also provides practice in simplifying facial features and focusing on overall form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, hair, and shoulders.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of yellow and blue to the background, allowing it to dry.
step 03
Block in the hair with a mix of red, brown, and yellow, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 04
Establish the skin tones with a light mixture of white, yellow, and a touch of red, focusing on the planes of the face.
step 05
Add darker values to the hair and clothing using deeper shades of brown and blue.
step 06
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the subtle curves and shadows.
step 07
Layer additional texture onto the background with dry brushing techniques.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · titanium white · raw umber

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna. Create variations in the hair color by adding small amounts of raw umber or ultramarine blue to the burnt sienna base. Use thin washes of ultramarine blue and yellow ochre to create the background.

techniques

·dry brushing
·layering
·scumbling
·broken color
·tonal painting

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details of the face.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure.
→Using too much paint and losing the texture.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil or acrylic medium

optional

·easel
·rags
·odorless mineral spirits (for oil paints)

Using a slightly textured canvas will enhance the effect of the dry brushing technique. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.

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