plate no. 3855

Woman Waiting on Her Way to the Market

Werner Berg, 1933

oilExpressionismportraitfigureportraitscarfchickencagemarket

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex forms and using color to create mood and expression. Students will also learn to apply visible brushstrokes to build texture and form.

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 composition of the woman, chicken cage, and background.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: pink for the background, dark green/brown for the coat, white for the headscarf, and yellow for the cage.
step 03
Add darker values to define shadows and create depth in the coat, scarf, and face.
step 04
Mix and apply the skin tones, paying attention to the subtle blues and grays.
step 05
Add details to the chicken cage and the chicken, using reds, yellows, and whites.
step 06
Refine the background with subtle variations in pink and purple.
step 07
Add the finishing touches and highlights to the face, scarf, and coat.
step 08
Review and adjust colors and values as needed to match the original painting.

color palette

primary · pink · dark green · white · black

secondary · yellow · red · blue · gray

Mix pink by combining white with a touch of red and purple. Achieve the dark green/brown by mixing green, brown, and black. Use white with a touch of blue for the skin tones.

techniques

·blocking in
·dry brush texture
·color mixing
·simplifying forms
·visible brushstrokes

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
→Not paying attention to the subtle color variations in the skin tones.
→Failing to simplify the forms and shapes.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Acrylic or oil paints (pink, dark green, white, black, yellow, red, blue, gray)
·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
·Linseed oil (for oil paints)
·Rags