plate no. 6847
An old woman with a petition
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing the nuances of age and emotion, and in rendering fabric textures and folds.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the basic proportions and composition.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
- step 03
Develop the background with soft, blended brushstrokes.
- step 04
Refine the figure, paying attention to the details of the face and hands.
- step 05
Add layers of color to the clothing and accessories, building up the texture and depth.
- step 06
Work on the details of the table and the objects on it.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of harmony.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue
Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with white and small amounts of blue or crimson. Use thin glazes to build up depth and subtle color variations.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in color and texture.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·alizarin crimson oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·assorted round and flat brushes
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-tooth canvas for better texture. Consider using a toned ground to start.
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