plate no. 4961

Elizabeth Darley

C. R. W. Nevinson, 1900

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitwomanhatfeathersclothingface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle skin tone variations. It also provides practice in rendering textures, such as the feathers and fabric.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the face, hat, and clothing.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of neutral gray.
step 03
Establish the main skin tones, focusing on the highlights and shadows.
step 04
Paint the hat and feathers, paying attention to the color variations and texture.
step 05
Add the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes.
step 06
Refine the clothing and background, adding subtle details and shadows.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to the face and hat.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium red light

secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green

Mix skin tones by blending white, red, and umber, adjusting the proportions to achieve the desired warmth and value. Use ultramarine blue and black to create the darker shades of the hat.

techniques