plate no. 6053

Red Blossom

Alexej von Jawlensky, 1910

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurewomanblossomdresshair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify forms and use bold brushstrokes to create an expressive portrait. It also provides practice in color mixing and layering.

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 figure, blossom, and background.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of orange-red paint.
step 03
Paint the face using a base of yellow-green, adding pink for the cheeks and darker tones for shadows.
step 04
Apply the black for the hair and outline of the figure, using visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the blue dress, blending it with the black outline to create depth.
step 06
Add the red blossom, focusing on its round shape and highlights.
step 07
Paint the details of the dress and the yellow collar.
step 08
Refine the details and add any final touches.

color palette

primary · orange-red · yellow-green · black · blue

secondary · yellow · pink · white

Mix the yellow-green for the face by combining yellow and green with a touch of white. Create the orange-red background by mixing red and orange, and add a touch of white to lighten it. Mix the blue for the dress by combining blue with a touch of black and white.

techniques

·blocking
·visible brushstrokes
·color layering
·simplification of form
·impasto

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality.
→Using too much blending, which can make the painting look muddy.
→Not simplifying the forms enough, resulting in a cluttered composition.
→Being afraid to use bold brushstrokes.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·Acrylic or oil paints (orange-red, yellow-green, black, blue, yellow, pink, white)
·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
·Linseed oil (if using oil paints)