Portrait of a Woman by Helen Dahm

plate no. 9647

Portrait of a Woman

Helen Dahm, 1920

oilExpressionismportraitportraitwomanfloralfigurehair

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 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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