plate no. 6711

Pale Woman with Red Hair

Alexej von Jawlensky, 1912

oilExpressionismportraitportraitwomanfacered hairexpressionism

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand color relationships and how to use expressive brushstrokes to create form and emotion. It also provides practice in simplifying complex subjects into basic shapes and colors.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the face, hair, and body, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark blue, using broad brushstrokes.
step 03
Apply a base layer of green and yellow to the face, mixing the colors directly on the canvas.
step 04
Add highlights and shadows to the face with lighter yellows and darker greens, using short, choppy brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the hair with vibrant reds and oranges, following the direction of the hair strands.
step 06
Define the eyes, nose, and mouth with dark lines, keeping the features simple and expressive.
step 07
Add details such as the red cheek and the orange highlight on the face.
step 08
Refine the colors and brushstrokes, adjusting the values and textures as needed.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Cadmium red · Cadmium yellow · Viridian green

secondary · Orange · Purple · Black

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow. Create various shades of red by adding orange or purple. Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow, green, and small amounts of red.

techniques