plate no. 8087

Portrait of a Young Girl

Joan Miro, 1915

oilFauvismportraitportraitgirlhairclothingface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice portraiture, color mixing, and capturing unique stylistic choices. Students will also learn to simplify forms and focus on essential details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, hair, and clothing, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with dark, muted tones.
step 03
Apply a base layer of color to the skin, hair, and clothing, focusing on the overall tones.
step 04
Begin adding shadows and highlights to define the forms, using a limited palette.
step 05
Mix and apply the specific colors for the eyes, lips, and cheeks.
step 06
Refine the details of the hair, adding texture and highlights.
step 07
Add details to the clothing, such as the collar and buttons.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · cerulean blue · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · titanium white

Mix skin tones by blending yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of cadmium red. Create variations by adding small amounts of white or blue. Achieve the blue of the dress by mixing cerulean blue with white.

techniques

·color mixing
·layering
·blending
·simplification of form
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Over-blending and losing the texture.
→Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
→Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
→Not paying attention to the subtle variations in skin tone.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·Acrylic or oil paints
·Round brushes (various sizes)
·Flat brushes (various sizes)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
·Linseed oil (if using oil paints)

optional

·Easel
·Medium gloss
·Rags

Use a canvas with a smooth surface to better replicate the original painting's texture. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly, while oils offer richer colors and blending capabilities.

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