plate no. 3091

Angela McInnes

John Collier, 1914

oilRomanticismportraitportraitwomandresshatfeathersjewelry

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating soft, diffused lighting and subtle color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of neutral colors.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the dress, hat, and skin tones.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying attention to accurate proportions and subtle shading.
step 05
Develop the folds and textures of the dress, using layering and blending techniques.
step 06
Add details to the hat and feathers, capturing their intricate forms.
step 07
Paint the jewelry and other accessories.
step 08
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Burnt Umber · Titanium White

secondary · Cadmium Red · Yellow Ochre

Mix Prussian Blue and Burnt Umber to achieve the various shades of blue in the dress. Use Titanium White to lighten the colors and create highlights. Mix Cadmium Red and Yellow Ochre for the red feathers.

techniques