plate no. 4275

Little Girl in a Red Beret

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitportraitfiguregirlred beretpinkgreen background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing, and capturing light and shadow with loose brushstrokes. It's a good exercise in simplifying forms and focusing on essential details.

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 and proportions of the girl's figure and face.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of green, varying the tones slightly.
step 03
Establish the main areas of color on the face, hat, and clothing, using thin washes.
step 04
Begin building up layers of paint, focusing on the light and shadow on the face.
step 05
Define the features of the face with subtle variations in color and value.
step 06
Add details to the clothing and hat, paying attention to the folds and textures.
step 07
Refine the background, adding depth and interest with subtle color changes.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · rose madder · viridian green · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · raw umber

Mix various shades of pink by combining rose madder and titanium white. Create different greens by mixing viridian green with yellow ochre and white. Use raw umber to create shadows and deepen colors.

techniques