plate no. 7243

Portrait De Jeune Femme

Maria Blanchard, 1925

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurewomandresshairbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing for skin tones and understanding how to simplify forms into basic shapes. It also provides an opportunity to practice visible brushstrokes to create texture and form.

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 of the figure and background, focusing on proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, starting with the background and then the skin tones.
step 03
Build up the skin tones by layering different shades of browns, yellows, and reds, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Define the features of the face with darker and lighter tones, using small brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the dress and hair, using similar layering techniques to create depth and texture.
step 06
Add details to the background, such as the window and the architectural elements.
step 07
Refine the edges and shapes of the figure and background, making sure they are well-defined.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna · pink · gray

Mix browns and yellows for skin tones, adding small amounts of red or blue to adjust the temperature. Use white to create highlights and black or burnt umber to create shadows. Mix white with ultramarine blue to get the background color.

techniques

·blocking in
·layering
·scumbling
·dry brush
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the loose, expressive brushstrokes.
→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Using too much detail and losing the overall sense of form.
→Not paying attention to the light and shadow, which can make the painting look flat.