plate no. 6966

The Red Scarf

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigurered scarfwomanclothinghands

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portrait painting, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric folds. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere using value and color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, loose strokes of dark browns and ochres.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin refining the face, focusing on capturing the likeness and subtle variations in skin tone.
step 05
Develop the red scarf, using layers of red and orange to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Add details to the hands and clothing, paying attention to the folds and textures.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows to create a sense of form and volume.
step 08
Add final details and adjust the overall composition as needed.

color palette

primary · red · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · black · raw sienna

Mix various shades of red by adding burnt umber or black for shadows, and titanium white or yellow ochre for highlights. Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber.

techniques