plate no. 4992

Portrait of Lena Milius

Theo van Doesburg, 1915

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfigurewomanfacehairclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand color temperature and how to use visible brushstrokes to define form. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

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, neck, and shoulders.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of off-white paint.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face using a limited palette of pinks, purples, and greens.
step 04
Paint the hair using dark grays and blacks, paying attention to the direction of the brushstrokes to suggest form.
step 05
Mix and apply the green for the clothing, varying the tone slightly to create depth.
step 06
Add details to the eyes and lips, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the edges and blend colors as needed to achieve a cohesive look.
step 08
Add the shadow on the left side.

color palette

primary · titanium white · sap green · alizarin crimson · ivory black

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix pinks by combining white with alizarin crimson. Create greens by mixing sap green with yellow ochre or ultramarine blue. Use ivory black and white to create various shades of gray.

techniques

·blocking in
·color mixing
·visible brushstrokes
·simplification of form
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the colors, which can result in a muddy appearance.
→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
→Using too much detail, which can detract from the expressive quality of the painting.
→Ignoring the subtle shifts in color temperature.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, sap green, alizarin crimson, ivory black, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·palette knife
·rags
·odorless mineral spirits