plate no. 8204

Young Girl with Flowers

Francis Picabia, 1942

oil, cardboardExpressionismportraitportraitfigureflowerslandscapetreeshat

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, layering, and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in portraiture and capturing the essence of a subject.

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 figure, flowers, and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the overall composition.
step 03
Begin layering colors to create depth and dimension in the face, clothing, and flowers.
step 04
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Refine the shapes and colors of the flowers, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 06
Develop the background, adding details to the landscape and trees.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to the entire painting.
step 08
Step back and make any necessary adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · yellow · orange · blue · white

secondary · green · red · brown

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow, and a touch of red. Create greens by mixing blue and yellow, and vary the shades by adding white or brown.

techniques