plate no. 9647
Portrait of a Woman
Helen Dahm, 1920
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and using bold brushstrokes to create texture and depth. It also provides an opportunity to explore the expressive potential of a limited color palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
5
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the face, hair, and background elements.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of black and white, focusing on the overall composition.
- step 03
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the proportions and angles.
- step 04
Add texture to the hair and background using short, deliberate brushstrokes.
- step 05
Create depth by layering the black and white areas, using darker tones in the shadows.
- step 06
Add the floral details, simplifying the shapes and focusing on the overall pattern.
- step 07
Adjust the values and contrast to create a dramatic and expressive effect.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white
secondary ·
Vary the intensity of the black by adding small amounts of white to create subtle gradations.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·simplified shapes
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
- →Failing to create enough contrast between the black and white areas.
- →Getting lost in the details of the floral pattern.
- →Not simplifying the shapes enough
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette knife
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a canvas with a medium texture to enhance the brushstrokes. Consider using a fast-drying medium to speed up the drying time.
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