plate no. 6541

A Portrait of Miss Jenny.

Xu Beihong, 1939

oilRealismportraitportraitfigurechairinteriorbookshelfwindow

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric folds, as well as understanding how to create depth through subtle value changes.

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 proportions of the figure and the placement of the chair and background elements.
step 02
Establish the main value areas, blocking in the darks and lights of the figure, chair, and background.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, using thin layers of paint and subtle color variations to create a realistic effect.
step 04
Develop the details of the dress, paying attention to the way the fabric drapes and folds.
step 05
Add the details of the chair, bookshelf, and window, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture and interest.
step 06
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Glaze the painting with thin layers of color to unify the composition and enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · ivory black · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by combining white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red or brown. Use raw umber and black to create the dark tones of the chair and background. Mix blues and browns for the window view.

techniques