plate no. 6114
Catherine Mordvinova
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating subtle gradations of color and value to create form.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar neutral tone.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the yellow dress and the skin tones.
- step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 05
Develop the details of the dress, including the lace, ribbons, and folds of fabric.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Refine the background and add any final details.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the colors.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · ivory black · burnt umber
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red
Mix various shades of yellow by combining yellow ochre with white and small amounts of burnt umber. Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of burnt umber. Use ultramarine blue for the ribbons and to create shadows in the yellow dress.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·rendering fabric
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the colors.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
- →Making the lace look flat and lifeless.
- →Not creating enough contrast between light and shadow.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·assorted brushes
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-grain canvas is recommended.
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