plate no. 0138

Mary with a red hat

Franz Stuck, 1902

oil, woodSymbolismportraitportraitfigurehatredgreenhair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness and conveying a mood through color and expression.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the head, hat, and shoulders, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of green, varying the tones slightly.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face using a limited palette of skin tones.
step 04
Begin to refine the features of the face, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Paint the red hat, using darker reds in the shadows and brighter reds in the highlights.
step 06
Add details to the hair, using small, controlled brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the background, adding texture and depth with visible brushstrokes.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to the face and hat to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · red · green · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · titanium white · cadmium red light · viridian green

Skin tones can be achieved by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, and titanium white. Vary the proportions to create different shades and highlights. Mix viridian green with burnt umber for darker greens in the background.

techniques