plate no. 1654

Portrait of Hermine David

Jules Pascin, 1910

oilExpressionismportraitfigureportraitwomanreadinginteriortable

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying forms and using expressive brushstrokes to create a sense of atmosphere. It also provides practice in mixing subtle color variations and capturing a likeness with limited detail.

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 and proportions of the figure and surrounding objects.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the overall tones and values.
step 03
Refine the shapes and details of the figure, paying attention to the facial features and clothing.
step 04
Add the background colors, blending them softly to create a sense of depth.
step 05
Develop the details of the table and objects on it.
step 06
Use expressive brushstrokes to add texture and interest to the painting.
step 07
Add the darkest darks and lightest lights to create contrast and dimension.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · ivory black

Mix white with small amounts of yellow ochre and raw umber to create the skin tones and light areas. Use alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue to create the purplish hues of the table. Add black to darken colors and create shadows.

techniques

·expressive brushstrokes
·color mixing
·simplifying forms
·layering
·blending

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details
→Using too many colors
→Losing the overall sense of light and shadow
→Not simplifying the forms enough

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·assorted brushes
·titanium white oil paint
·yellow ochre oil paint
·raw umber oil paint
·alizarin crimson oil paint
·ultramarine blue oil paint
·palette

optional

·palette knife
·linseed oil
·turpentine

Use a medium-sized canvas and a variety of brush sizes to achieve the desired level of detail. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.

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