plate no. 8991

Diana Wynyard in 'The Silent Knight'

Ethel Léontine Gabain, 1938

oilNeo-Romanticismportraitfigureportraitdresstreesfoliagehistorical

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict complex fabric patterns and folds.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and the main elements of the background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and then the figure's skin and dress.
step 03
Develop the skin tones using subtle layers of color, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Begin to define the details of the dress, focusing on the pattern and the way it drapes.
step 05
Add the red sleeves and trim, building up the color in layers.
step 06
Refine the background, adding details to the trees and foliage.
step 07
Add final details to the face, hair, and dress, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · alizarin crimson

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and blue. Achieve the dress pattern by mixing various colors and applying them in small, detailed strokes. Use glazes to create depth and luminosity.

techniques