plate no. 7717

Black And Gold

Thomas Dewing, 1917

oilTonalismportraitfigureportraitdressinteriortablebowl

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating atmospheric perspective and rendering fabric textures with limited color variations. It also provides practice in capturing subtle light and shadow on a figure.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and furniture.
step 02
Establish the overall warm, muted background tone with a thin wash of color.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure and dress, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
step 04
Begin to build up the values in the dress, using darker tones for shadows and lighter tones for highlights.
step 05
Refine the details of the face and hands, using soft blending techniques.
step 06
Add the details of the furniture, ensuring they recede into the background.
step 07
Create subtle variations in the background to add depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of light.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · ivory black

secondary · burnt sienna · titanium white

Achieve the muted tones by mixing yellow ochre, raw umber, and ivory black in varying proportions. Use burnt sienna to add warmth and titanium white to create highlights.

techniques