plate no. 0125

Young brunette woman in headscarf

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismportraitportraitwomanheadscarffigurehairclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing, and creating smooth gradations. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, shoulders, and scarf onto the canvas.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the background red, the skin tones, the hair, and the clothing.
step 03
Mix the skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red, gradually building up the highlights and shadows.
step 04
Refine the features of the face, paying attention to the shapes of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Paint the scarf, focusing on the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 06
Add the details of the pattern on the scarf, simplifying the shapes as needed.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and harmony.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · red · yellow ochre · black · white

secondary · green · blue · pink

Skin tones are achieved by mixing yellow ochre, white, and a touch of red. Vary the proportions to create highlights and shadows. The background red is mixed with darker reds and browns to create depth.

techniques