plate no. 8545

Malay Girl

Irma Stern, 1938

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfiguregirlbowclothingface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and using visible brushstrokes to create texture and form. Students will also learn to simplify complex shapes and capture a likeness.

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 face, hair, and body.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of yellow and ochre.
step 03
Establish the main skin tones using a mix of earth tones, white, and red.
step 04
Paint the hair with dark browns and blacks, leaving some areas lighter to suggest highlights.
step 05
Add the details of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to their shape and placement.
step 06
Paint the clothing with a mix of purples and reds, adding small floral patterns.
step 07
Add the bow with lavender and white, capturing its folds and highlights.
step 08
Refine the details and add final touches to the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · purple · lavender · black · raw sienna

Mix skin tones by blending white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. Achieve the purple of the dress by mixing red and blue, and lighten with white.

techniques