plate no. 5439

A good book

oilAcademicismportraitfigureportraitlandscapesheepbookfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as creating depth and atmosphere in a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figure and landscape.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin to develop the figure, starting with the larger shapes of the clothing and hair.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow to create form.
step 05
Add details to the clothing and hair, using smaller brushes to create texture and interest.
step 06
Develop the background further, adding details to the foliage and sheep.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of blue and brown with white to create the different tones in the dress and background. Use red and yellow to create skin tones, and mix with white to lighten.

techniques