plate no. 1235

Portrait of a young girl

Romualdo Locatelli, 1939

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitfiguretreeportraitfoliageheadscarf

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing skin tones and using expressive brushstrokes to create form and texture. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through color and value variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the tree.
step 02
Establish the background with loose, gestural brushstrokes, using a mix of greens, yellows, and browns.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, paying attention to proportions and anatomical landmarks.
step 04
Begin to refine the skin tones, using a limited palette of earth tones and white, and layering colors to create depth and warmth.
step 05
Add details to the face, focusing on capturing the likeness and expression of the subject.
step 06
Develop the texture of the tree bark using dry brush techniques and varied brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the clothing and headscarf, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to enhance the overall sense of realism and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · sap green · ivory black

Mix skin tones by blending burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white. Use yellow ochre and sap green for the foliage, and add ivory black to darken the shadows.

techniques