plate no. 9980

Child at a Writing Desk

oil, canvasRealismportraitfigureportraitdeskwritingclothinghair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding subtle color variations and light direction.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure and desk, paying attention to proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and then the larger shapes of the figure.
step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns on the face and clothing, using thin washes of color.
step 04
Begin to refine the details of the face, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the texture and folds of the clothing, using slightly thicker paint and varied brushstrokes.
step 06
Add details to the desk and writing materials, paying attention to the wood grain and the texture of the paper.
step 07
Refine the hair, using small, broken brushstrokes to create a sense of volume and movement.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix skin tones by blending white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue. Use raw umber and white for the desk, adding touches of burnt sienna for warmth. Achieve the background color by mixing white, blue, and a small amount of umber.

techniques