plate no. 6925

Spanish Girl

Alexej von Jawlensky, 1912

oilExpressionismportraitportraitwomanflowershairfacefigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying forms, using expressive color, and understanding how to create a portrait with bold brushstrokes. It also encourages experimentation with non-realistic color choices for skin tones and features.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, hair, and facial features, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark color, leaving space for the figure.
step 03
Apply the base skin tone, a light pinkish-beige, to the face and neck.
step 04
Add darker tones to the shadows of the face, neck, and hair using a mix of red, brown, and purple.
step 05
Paint the flowers in the hair with bold strokes of red and orange.
step 06
Define the eyes, nose, and mouth with strong, dark lines and colors.
step 07
Add highlights to the face and hair with lighter shades of pink, yellow, and white.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed to match the original painting.

color palette

primary · red · purple · brown · pink

secondary · yellow · blue · orange

Mix pinks by combining red and white, and achieve the darker tones by blending red, brown, and purple. Use blue to cool down the browns and create shadows.

techniques