plate no. 7153

A Message of Love

Herbert Gustave Schmalz (Herbert Carmichael), 1890

oilRomanticismportraitfigureportraitflowerstreesparkdress

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and subtle skin tones, as well as rendering fabrics and creating depth through atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin, dress, coat, background.
step 03
Refine the skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Add details to the dress and coat, including the lace and embellishments.
step 05
Paint the flowers, capturing their delicate colors and shapes.
step 06
Develop the background, creating depth with lighter values in the distance.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to the figure and background.
step 08
Glaze overall to unify the colors and values.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · rose madder · yellow ochre

secondary · sap green · raw umber · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and rose madder. Achieve the black coat by mixing ivory black with a touch of raw umber. Create the background greens by mixing sap green with yellow ochre and white.

techniques