plate no. 7645
Bessie McCoy
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in tonal shading, rendering fabric folds, and capturing subtle facial expressions. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form using a limited color palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure.
- step 02
Establish the main light source and map out the areas of light and shadow.
- step 03
Begin applying a base layer of diluted brown or sepia wash to the entire figure and background.
- step 04
Gradually build up the darker tones using multiple layers of diluted paint or ink, focusing on areas of shadow and form.
- step 05
Use a slightly lighter tone to define the mid-tones and create a sense of volume.
- step 06
Add highlights using a very light or white paint, focusing on areas where the light is strongest.
- step 07
Refine the details of the face, clothing, and accessories, paying attention to the subtle variations in tone and texture.
- step 08
Add the darkest accents, such as the ribbons and hair details, to create contrast and visual interest.
color palette
primary · sepia · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · raw umber
Achieve the various shades by diluting the sepia with water or thinner. Mix small amounts of ivory black to darken the sepia for shadows. Use titanium white sparingly for highlights.
techniques
- ·tonal shading
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
- ·hatching
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Creating harsh lines instead of smooth transitions.
- →Using too much white and losing the overall tonal harmony.
- →Failing to establish a clear light source.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·sepia ink or oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·soft cloth or paper towels
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil or thinner
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·kneaded eraser
Use high-quality materials for best results. Experiment with different brushes and techniques to find what works best for you.
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