plate no. 3847

Portrait of Mrs. Agda Vilén

Magnus Enckell, 1917

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurewomandresschairbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve nuanced skin tones and practice expressive brushwork to capture the subject's likeness and the overall mood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar neutral color.
step 03
Block in the main color areas: skin, dress, background, using simplified color mixtures.
step 04
Begin layering colors, focusing on capturing the subtle shifts in hue and value within each area.
step 05
Develop the facial features, paying attention to the highlights and shadows that define the form.
step 06
Refine the details of the dress and background, adding texture and interest with expressive brushstrokes.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

secondary · alizarin crimson · viridian green · ivory black

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create a range of grays and blacks for the dress and background. Add viridian green to the blues and yellows for cooler tones.

techniques

·alla prima
·color mixing
·expressive brushwork
·layering
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Focusing too much on detail too early in the process.
→Neglecting the overall value structure.
→Using too much paint, leading to a thick and overworked surface.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints (titanium white, ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, viridian green, ivory black)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags