plate no. 7970

Portrait of a Girl

Ilya Mashkov, 1904

oilImpressionismportraitfigureportraitclothingcouchdraperyindoor

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing likeness through loose brushwork and understanding how to create form with subtle value changes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex shapes and focusing on essential details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and the couch.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: the skin tones, the dark clothing, the red accent, and the couch.
step 03
Begin to refine the shapes and values, paying attention to the light and shadow on the face and clothing.
step 04
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, controlled brushstrokes.
step 05
Develop the background and couch with loose, expressive brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the edges of the figure and clothing, softening some and sharpening others.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of blue and brown to create the dark clothing. Use white to lighten the skin tones and create highlights. Mix red and brown for the red accent.

techniques