plate no. 3594
Cecilia
Henrique Pousao, 1882
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to create depth and form through subtle value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the main shapes and proportions of the figure, chair, and background.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the darkest and lightest areas.
- step 03
Begin layering in the mid-tones, focusing on the face and hands to establish the skin tones.
- step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, paying attention to the folds and textures.
- step 05
Work on the background, suggesting the architectural elements with loose brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the facial features, adding highlights and shadows to create depth and expression.
- step 07
Add details to the book and jewelry.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to achieve a cohesive and realistic effect.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre
Mix skin tones by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white, adjusting the proportions to achieve the desired warmth and value. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create darker shadows.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
- →Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff or unnatural appearance.
- →Failing to create sufficient contrast between light and shadow.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in an unrealistic skin tone.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Prepare the canvas with a layer of gesso before painting.
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