plate no. 8891

Alice in a White Hat

Lilla Cabot Perry, 1904

oilImpressionismportraitportraitwomanhatdressfigureclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing subtle skin tones and rendering fabric textures using broken color techniques. It also encourages observation of light and shadow to create form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, hat, and dress, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of muted yellows, grays, and browns.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color on the face, using light washes and building up layers.
step 04
Begin defining the features of the face, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Work on the dress, using white and light blue to capture the folds and textures.
step 06
Paint the hat, using black and white to create contrast and depth.
step 07
Add details to the lace collar and other areas of interest.
step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black · alizarin crimson

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red or brown. Use ultramarine blue and white to create the light blue tones in the dress. Mix black and raw umber for the hat.

techniques