plate no. 2697

Bell and Dorothy Freeman

oilRomanticismportraitfiguresportraitinteriorviolincurtainswindow

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as practicing fabric folds and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the composition, focusing on proportions and placement of figures and objects.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, establishing the overall color scheme.
step 03
Develop the skin tones using layers of subtle color variations, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Paint the clothing, focusing on capturing the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 05
Render the background elements, such as the curtains and window, with attention to detail.
step 06
Add details to the violin and other accessories.
step 07
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and colors as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · alizarin crimson

Achieve skin tones by mixing titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, and a touch of ultramarine blue. Create the blue dress by mixing ultramarine blue with a touch of burnt umber and white. The white dress requires subtle variations of white with hints of yellow ochre and raw sienna.

techniques