plate no. 7277

The Teacher

Helene Schjerfbeck, 1933

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurewomanclothingfacehair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying forms and using expressive brushstrokes to convey mood and character. It's a good exercise in capturing a likeness with minimal detail.

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, focusing on the head and shoulders.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of muted green-gray.
step 03
Establish the light and shadow areas on the face using a limited palette of white, black, and a touch of yellow ochre.
step 04
Paint the clothing with a light pink, adding red accents for the collar and details.
step 05
Define the facial features with bold, dark lines, paying attention to the shape of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add highlights to the hair and face to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the brushstrokes and edges to achieve the desired level of abstraction.
step 08
Add final details and adjust the overall composition as needed.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · raw umber

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · sap green

Mix the skin tones by combining white, black, and a touch of yellow ochre. Use raw umber and white to create the background. The pink for the clothing is a mix of white and cadmium red light.

techniques