plate no. 0173

The Blue Mantilla

Alexej von Jawlensky, 1913

oilExpressionismportraitportraitwomanflowershairfacemantilla

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting helps students understand color relationships and how to use bold brushstrokes to define form. It's also a good exercise in simplifying complex shapes into basic geometric forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the face, hair, and flowers, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with a light blue, using loose brushstrokes.
step 03
Apply the base colors for the face (orange, yellow, red) and neck (yellow, green), blending slightly.
step 04
Paint the hair with black and touches of dark blue, using short, directional strokes.
step 05
Add the flowers using reds, pinks, and whites, building up layers of color.
step 06
Define the facial features with dark outlines and shadows, paying attention to the eyes and mouth.
step 07
Add highlights to the face, hair, and flowers to create depth.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed.

color palette

primary · red · yellow · blue · black

secondary · white · green · orange · pink

Mix oranges from red and yellow, greens from blue and yellow. Use white to lighten colors and create pinks. Black is used as a dominant color, but mixed with blue to create depth.

techniques