plate no. 1505

Lempi (from Kuorsalo)

Magnus Enckell, 1914

oilFauvismportraitportraitfiguregirlfoliagetreesclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing for skin tones and capturing form with expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex backgrounds.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the skin, clothing, and background.
step 03
Begin layering in the mid-tones and shadows on the face and clothing.
step 04
Add highlights to the face, hair, and clothing to create form.
step 05
Refine the background with loose, expressive brushstrokes.
step 06
Develop the details of the face, paying attention to the eyes and mouth.
step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and value relationships.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

Mix various shades of red with yellow ochre and white to create the skin tones and clothing. Use green and blue to create the background foliage, and add touches of red and brown for depth.

techniques