plate no. 5529

A Young Girl Reading

oil, canvasRococoportraitfigureportraitdressbookhairinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric folds, as well as understanding color temperature and light direction.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas with a thin wash of burnt umber.
step 03
Block in the local colors of the dress, skin, and background.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 05
Develop the folds and drapery of the dress, using highlights and shadows to create form.
step 06
Add details to the hair, book, and other elements.
step 07
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the luminosity.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of yellow by combining yellow ochre with white and small amounts of red or brown. Achieve skin tones by blending white, red, yellow, and a touch of blue or green. Create depth in shadows by mixing burnt umber with ultramarine blue.

techniques

·underpainting
·glazing
·scumbling
·portraiture
·fabric rendering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Using colors that are too saturated.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags