plate no. 6456

Portrait of a Girl

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigurewomanclothingfacehand

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and capturing likeness through color and value relationships. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

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, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hand.
step 02
Establish the background colors using broad, loose strokes.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin tones, hair, and clothing, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth. Use small, deliberate brushstrokes to capture the subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Add details to the clothing and accessories, such as the collar and jewelry.
step 06
Develop the shadows and highlights to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the edges of the forms to create a sense of sharpness and clarity.
step 08
Add final touches and adjustments as needed.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · sap green · alizarin crimson

Mix skin tones by blending white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Use ultramarine blue to cool down shadows. Achieve the brown hues by mixing umber with red and yellow.

techniques