plate no. 9337

Schoolgirls

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfiguresgirlshatsbuildingsstreetchildren

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplified figure drawing and expressive color mixing to create a mood. It also encourages experimentation with visible brushstrokes to add texture and interest.

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 placement of the figures and background elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the background, street, and buildings using thin washes.
step 03
Establish the main colors for the figures' dresses and hats, focusing on the overall color scheme.
step 04
Add darker values to define the shadows and create depth in the figures and background.
step 05
Introduce secondary colors and highlights to add interest and variation to the color palette.
step 06
Refine the details of the figures, such as the faces and hands, using small brushstrokes.
step 07
Add texture and visual interest by applying visible brushstrokes throughout the painting.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors, values, and details to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green

Mix yellow ochre and burnt umber for the warm tones of the street. Combine ultramarine blue and viridian green for the dresses. Use cadmium red sparingly for accents on the faces and in the background.

techniques

·blocking in
·dry brushing
·color mixing
·simplified figure drawing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the painting.
→Using too many colors and creating a muddy or chaotic effect.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure and creating a flat or uninteresting composition.
→Not capturing the simplified shapes of the figures.