plate no. 3932

Barbara Allen

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfiguredressframewoman

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones and fabric, and creating a sense of depth through layering and soft brushwork. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and expression.

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 and proportions of the figure and the frame.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of dark browns and grays.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, dress, and frame, focusing on value relationships.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow on the face.
step 05
Develop the details of the dress, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture and movement.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the frame to give it depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · raw umber

secondary · yellow ochre · violet · burnt sienna

Mix skin tones using white, crimson, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue or umber. Create the purple dress by mixing ultramarine blue and alizarin crimson with varying amounts of white.

techniques