plate no. 7723
A Girl
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes of the head, hair, and shoulders.
- step 02
Block in the background with a dark, even tone.
- step 03
Establish the overall skin tone with a mid-value base color.
- step 04
Begin building up highlights and shadows on the face, paying close attention to the planes of the face.
- step 05
Work on the hair, defining the individual strands and curls with varying values.
- step 06
Paint the dress, focusing on the subtle folds and highlights.
- step 07
Add the gold trim on the dress, using thin layers of paint.
- step 08
Refine the details and blend the transitions between values for a smooth finish.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black
secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue
Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna. Add small amounts of red for the cheeks and lips. Use black sparingly to darken shadows. For the hair, mix burnt sienna with yellow ochre and white for highlights.
techniques
- ·portrait painting
- ·value blending
- ·hair rendering
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones, leading to a muddy appearance.
- →Failing to accurately capture the proportions of the face.
- →Using too much black, resulting in harsh shadows.
- →Neglecting the subtle value changes in the hair.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·mahogany palette
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to simplify the initial stages of painting.
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