plate no. 2268

Portrait of Olena Pavlenko

Vasyl Sedlyar, 1926

oilExpressionismportraitfigureportraitwomanheadscarfclothinghand

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating soft transitions between values. It also provides practice in capturing the likeness of a subject and simplifying forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hand.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of warm yellows and browns.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, headscarf, and clothing, using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 05
Develop the folds and shadows in the headscarf and clothing, using soft blending techniques.
step 06
Add details to the hand and the object it is holding.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones using yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white, with small amounts of red and blue to adjust the warmth and coolness. Create the headscarf color by mixing cadmium red with a touch of burnt sienna and white.

techniques