plate no. 9159

Portrait of a Lady

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurewomanclothinghairface

suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying forms and using bold brushstrokes to create expressive portraits. It's also a good exercise in color mixing to achieve the specific hues used in the face, background, and clothing.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure and background.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: red for the background, orange for the face, and green for the clothing.
step 03
Add darker values to define the shadows and contours of the face and clothing.
step 04
Use short, visible brushstrokes to create texture and movement.
step 05
Mix and apply secondary colors to add depth and interest.
step 06
Define the hair with bold black strokes.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, such as the eyes and mouth.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · red · green · orange · black

secondary · brown · white

Mix orange by combining red and yellow, and adjust with white. Create the green by mixing blue and yellow, and then adjust the shade with white or brown. The skin tone is achieved by mixing orange, red, and a touch of brown.

techniques