plate no. 4169
Aristocrat Portrait (Lila, Artist's Niece)
Francisc Sirato, 1933
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating form with visible brushstrokes. It's also a good exercise in capturing a likeness and conveying a mood.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair.
- step 02
Establish the background colors with thin washes, focusing on the overall tone.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, clothing, and chair, using a limited palette.
- step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create form and depth in the figure, paying attention to light and shadow.
- step 05
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the edges of the figure and chair, softening or sharpening them as needed.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and dimension.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a harmonious composition.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red
secondary · viridian green · ultramarine blue
Skin tones are achieved by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, cadmium red, and titanium white. Greens are muted by mixing with a touch of red. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·alla prima
- ·color layering
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending the colors, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
- →Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
- →Using too much detail in the background, distracting from the main subject.
- →Not paying attention to the light source, resulting in inconsistent shadows.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·Oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, viridian green, ultramarine blue)
- ·Palette
- ·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Palette knife
- ·Rags
optional
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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