plate no. 2475

Edna Smith in a Japanese Wrap

Robert Henri, 1915

oilAmerican Realismportraitportraitfigurewomanhairclothingfloral

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as practicing loose, expressive brushwork to create texture and depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hand.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted green, blending the edges for a soft effect.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, hair, and clothing, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 04
Refine the skin tones by layering subtle variations of color, focusing on the highlights and shadows.
step 05
Add details to the hair, using loose brushstrokes to create texture and movement.
step 06
Paint the floral pattern on the wrap, simplifying the shapes and colors.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, to capture the likeness of the subject.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · viridian · titanium white · cadmium yellow

Mix skin tones using yellow ochre, cadmium red light, and titanium white. Use burnt umber and ivory black to create dark shadows and muted greens for the background.

techniques