plate no. 8894

Portrait of a Young Girl

Oskar Kokoschka, 1913

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguregirllandscapeskytrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and creating depth through color variations and layering. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness and conveying emotion through portraiture.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color with thin washes, focusing on the overall composition.
step 03
Build up layers of paint, adding darker values in shadow areas and lighter values in highlights.
step 04
Use expressive brushstrokes to define the forms and create texture.
step 05
Pay attention to the subtle color variations in the skin tones and clothing.
step 06
Refine the facial features, capturing the likeness and expression of the subject.
step 07
Add final details to the background, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Adjust the overall values and colors to achieve a harmonious and expressive result.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Burnt umber · Titanium white

secondary · Yellow ochre · Sap green · Alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of blue and brown with white to create the skin tones and clothing. Use small amounts of red and yellow to add warmth and vibrancy.

techniques

·Impasto
·Dry brushing
·Color layering
·Expressive brushwork
·Scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overblending colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Ignoring the underlying structure of the face and body.
→Using too much detail in the background, distracting from the main subject.
→Failing to capture the emotion and expression of the subject.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 16x20
·Oil paints (Prussian blue, Burnt umber, Titanium white, Yellow ochre, Sap green, Alizarin crimson)
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags