plate no. 3117

Little girl with yellow babushka

Istvan Nagy, 1917

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfiguregirlheadscarfclothingchild

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors and capturing subtle variations in skin tones. It also provides practice in creating texture with visible brushstrokes and understanding color temperature.

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 head, scarf, and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of dark blues and browns.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the scarf using yellow and orange.
step 04
Begin layering colors on the face, using greens, blues, and browns to create shadows and highlights.
step 05
Develop the folds and textures of the scarf with short, directional strokes.
step 06
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to their shape and placement.
step 07
Refine the overall composition by adjusting values and adding final touches.
step 08
Add highlights to the scarf and face to create a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium orange · sap green · alizarin crimson

Mix greens for the skin by combining blue and yellow. Achieve the scarf's color by blending yellow ochre with cadmium orange. Use burnt umber and ultramarine blue to create dark shadows.

techniques