plate no. 0769
Antoinette
Thomas Dewing, 1879
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing subtle skin tones and rendering fabric textures with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form through careful value adjustments.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure.
- step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of muted yellow and brown tones.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the dress, collar, and head covering.
- step 04
Begin refining the skin tones, using a limited palette of warm and cool colors.
- step 05
Add details to the face, paying attention to the subtle variations in value and color.
- step 06
Develop the textures of the dress and head covering, using visible brushstrokes.
- step 07
Refine the background and add details to the chair.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of form and depth.
color palette
primary · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white · burnt sienna
secondary · ivory black · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of red. Use raw umber and ivory black to create the dark tones of the dress. Muted greens and browns for the background are achieved by mixing yellow ochre, raw umber, and a touch of blue.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Getting lost in details before establishing the overall form.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin tones.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·Oil paints (raw umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, burnt sienna, ivory black, ultramarine blue, cadmium red light)
- ·Palette
- ·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Palette knife
- ·Rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grit canvas for a slightly textured surface. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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