plate no. 5816

Lady Wearing a Turban

Jules Pascin, 1907

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurewomanturbanchairflowers

some experience helpful

This painting helps students practice portraiture with simplified forms and expressive brushstrokes. It also introduces color mixing for skin tones and creating a sense of depth with subtle value changes.

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 figure, focusing on proportions and pose.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: background, skin, hair, turban, and clothing.
step 03
Mix skin tones using a limited palette of earth tones, white, and a touch of red.
step 04
Develop the facial features, paying attention to the subtle shadows and highlights.
step 05
Add details to the turban and clothing, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Define the background with loose, expressive strokes.
step 07
Add the suggestion of flowers in the background.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · viridian · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, white, and a touch of cadmium red. Use viridian and yellow ochre for the turban. Muted blues and purples create the background.

techniques