plate no. 4831

Young English Girl in Blue

Chaim Soutine, 1937

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurewomanhairfaceclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand expressive brushwork and how to use color to define form rather than relying on precise outlines. It also offers practice in capturing a likeness with simplified shapes and bold strokes.

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 head, shoulders, and hair.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of blue paint.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face using a limited palette of warm and cool tones.
step 04
Begin building up the hair with dark browns and blacks, using short, directional brushstrokes.
step 05
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the angles and planes of the face.
step 06
Add highlights to the face and hair to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Define the clothing with dark, bold strokes, suggesting form without over-detailing.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired expressive effect.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black

secondary · titanium white · cadmium red light

Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the warm skin tones, adding small amounts of red for the cheeks. Use white to lighten the blues for the background and to create highlights.

techniques