plate no. 8334

Woman with a Hibiscus

Irma Stern, 1956

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitwomanflowerheadscarfjewelryfigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and capturing light and shadow with visible brushstrokes. Students will also learn to simplify complex forms and focus on essential details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the woman's head, shoulders, and flower.
step 02
Establish the background with light, blended tones.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, clothing, and flower.
step 04
Mix and apply a range of skin tones, paying attention to light and shadow.
step 05
Develop the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add details to the clothing, headscarf, and jewelry.
step 07
Refine the flower, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · ivory black

Mix skin tones by blending yellow ochre, burnt umber, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create the dark tones in the clothing and hair. Mix cadmium red with a touch of white for the flower.

techniques