plate no. 5401

Portrait of Martha Vogeler

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurehatscarfplantsnow

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also encourages simplification of forms and capturing a mood rather than precise 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, hat, and plant.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of white and gray, suggesting the snowy landscape.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the face, hat, scarf, and coat, focusing on value relationships.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying attention to subtle shifts in color and value.
step 05
Add texture to the scarf and coat using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Paint the plant, using darker greens for the leaves and a warm brown for the pot.
step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and add any final details.
step 08
Allow to dry and add a varnish.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, red, and a touch of umber. The blue in the hat is muted with umber. The scarf is a mix of white, umber, and a touch of blue.

techniques