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home·artworks·A Follower of Grolier
A Follower of Grolier by Julian Alden Weir

plate no. 6441

A Follower of Grolier

Julian Alden Weir

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitfigureportraitbookdressinteriorchair
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing with a limited palette, and creating soft, diffused lighting effects. It also provides practice in capturing fabric folds and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and book.

  2. step 02

    Establish the background color with a thin wash of green.

  3. step 03

    Block in the main shapes of the figure's dress and collar using broad strokes.

  4. step 04

    Begin layering colors to define the form of the face, paying attention to subtle value changes.

  5. step 05

    Develop the folds and shadows in the dress, using darker greens and blues.

  6. step 06

    Add details to the book, including the cover and spine.

  7. step 07

    Refine the background and add subtle highlights to create depth.

  8. step 08

    Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · viridian green · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · ivory black · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Achieve the various green tones by mixing viridian green with white, raw umber, and small amounts of yellow ochre. Use cadmium red light to create the subtle pinks in the face and lips. Darken the greens with ivory black.

techniques

  • ·scumbling
  • ·dry brushing
  • ·glazing
  • ·soft blending
  • ·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the details in the face, resulting in a stiff or unnatural appearance.
  • →Creating harsh lines or edges, which will detract from the soft, diffused lighting.
  • →Failing to capture the subtle value changes in the dress, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
  • →Using too much paint, which can obscure the texture of the canvas.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
  • ·oil paints (viridian green, titanium white, raw umber, ivory black, cadmium red light, yellow ochre)
  • ·linseed oil
  • ·odorless mineral spirits
  • ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
  • ·palette
  • ·palette knife
  • ·rags

optional

  • ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
  • ·varnish

Use a canvas with a medium texture to enhance the brushwork. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.

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related guides

oil painting for beginners →color theory for painters →how to learn by studying the masters →
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