plate no. 5793

Study of a Girl (Fanette Reider)

Morton Schamberg, 1911

oilFauvismportraitportraitfigurewomanheadscarfseatedtorso

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplified form representation and expressive color application. It's a good exercise in capturing a likeness without overly detailed rendering.

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 proportions of the figure.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: background, headscarf, skin tones, and clothing.
step 03
Mix and apply the local colors for each area, focusing on the overall tone.
step 04
Add highlights and shadows to define the form, using broken color and visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add details to the hands and clothing, keeping the brushwork loose and expressive.
step 07
Adjust the colors and values as needed to create a sense of depth and form.
step 08
Add final touches and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · cadmium red light

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow. Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Vary the blue with white for highlights and deepen with a touch of red for shadows.

techniques