plate no. 0537

Old Woman with handkerchief

Paula Modersohn-Becker, 1903

oilExpressionismportraitfigureportraitold womanhandsclothingneutral background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and conveying mood through subtle color variations and brushwork. It also provides practice in creating depth and form using a limited color palette.

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 figure, focusing on the head, hands, and overall pose.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of muted green/brown, establishing the overall tone.
step 03
Establish the darkest values in the clothing and hair, using a mix of black and burnt umber.
step 04
Begin layering the skin tones, starting with a base of ochre and adding touches of red, white, and brown for highlights and shadows.
step 05
Pay close attention to the subtle color variations in the face, especially around the cheeks, nose, and eyes.
step 06
Refine the details of the hands and the handkerchief, using small brushstrokes to capture the texture and form.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the figure.
step 08
Review the painting and make any necessary adjustments to the composition, color, or value.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · ivory black

secondary · titanium white · cadmium red light · raw sienna

Mix skin tones using yellow ochre, white, and small amounts of red and burnt umber. Achieve the dark clothing color by mixing black and burnt umber, adding a touch of blue for depth. Muted greens and browns for the background are achieved by mixing raw sienna, burnt umber, and a touch of black.

techniques

·portraiture
·scumbling
·layering
·limited palette
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a flat or unnatural appearance.
→Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the face.
→Creating too much contrast, making the painting look harsh.
→Ignoring the importance of accurate proportions in the initial sketch.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, yellow ochre, ivory black, titanium white, cadmium red light, raw sienna)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife