plate no. 6337
Portrait of a Child
Helene Schjerfbeck, 1883
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing soft light and shadow on a face, and simplifying complex floral details. It also provides practice in creating depth using a limited color palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the head, shoulders, and flower arrangement.
- step 02
Block in the background with dark greens and browns, leaving space for the figure.
- step 03
Establish the main light and shadow areas on the face using thin washes of color.
- step 04
Begin layering colors on the face, building up the form with subtle variations.
- step 05
Paint the hair with loose, visible brushstrokes, capturing the light and shadow.
- step 06
Add the details of the dress and headband, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
- step 07
Paint the flowers with simplified shapes and colors, focusing on the overall impression.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · alizarin crimson
secondary · viridian green · yellow ochre
Mix various shades of brown and green by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, viridian green, and white. Achieve the skin tones by blending raw sienna, alizarin crimson, and white.
techniques
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·glazing
- ·alla prima
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details, especially in the background and flowers.
- →Using too much paint and losing the transparency of the layers.
- →Failing to capture the soft light and shadow on the face.
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·alizarin crimson oil paint
- ·viridian green oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a canvas with a smooth surface for easier blending. Consider using a toned canvas to establish the background color.
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