plate no. 8873

Emily Patmore

oil, canvasRealismportraitportraitfigurewomanclothingflowershair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle value gradations to create form. It also provides practice in rendering fabric and floral details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the proportions and placement of the figure, head, and main features.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color, focusing on the overall composition.
step 03
Develop the skin tones by layering and blending colors, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 05
Paint the hair, using short, directional brushstrokes to create texture and volume.
step 06
Render the clothing, focusing on the folds and drapery, and the texture of the fabric.
step 07
Add the details of the lace collar, bow, and flowers, paying attention to their delicate forms.
step 08
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a harmonious and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · raw umber · alizarin crimson · viridian

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and cadmium red light, with touches of raw umber for shadows. The black background is a mix of ivory black and raw umber. The pink bow is a mix of white and cadmium red light, with alizarin crimson for depth.

techniques