plate no. 4979

Daughter of the Artist (Portrait of Ilona Lotz)

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguregirlhairdressnecklace

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering soft, diffused light. It also offers practice in creating subtle color variations and loose brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a mix of browns and blacks.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face with light flesh tones, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color.
step 04
Begin to define the features of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, careful brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the hair with loose, flowing strokes, capturing the highlights and shadows.
step 06
Block in the white dress, using a variety of white and off-white tones to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add details such as the lace collar and necklace.
step 08
Refine the painting, paying attention to the overall harmony of color and tone.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Achieve the flesh tones by mixing titanium white, raw umber, and a touch of cadmium red light. Use ultramarine blue to cool down the skin tones and create shadows.

techniques