plate no. 6118

Catherine Whitmore (née Thomason)

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguredresscurtainjewelryhair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle value gradations to create form. It also provides practice in rendering fabric and decorative details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the main shapes: head, shoulders, dress, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by applying a thin wash of a mid-tone gray across the entire canvas.
step 03
Begin to build up darker values in the background and shadows on the figure, using smooth blending techniques.
step 04
Gradually add lighter values to the face, dress, and jewelry, focusing on accurate skin tones and highlights.
step 05
Refine the details of the hair, lace, and other decorative elements, using smaller brushes.
step 06
Pay close attention to the subtle transitions between light and shadow to create a sense of depth and volume.
step 07
Add the final highlights and details to the eyes, lips, and jewelry to bring the portrait to life.
step 08
Review the entire painting and make any necessary adjustments to the values, colors, and details.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber

Achieve the various shades of gray by mixing ivory black and titanium white in different proportions. Add small amounts of raw umber or yellow ochre to warm up the skin tones and fabric.

techniques