plate no. 6169

Fanny Cornforth

oil, canvasRomanticismportraitportraitfigurehairfacewoman

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing subtle skin tones and rendering hair with depth and movement. It also provides practice in creating a sense of atmosphere through tonal values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the head and shoulders, paying attention to proportions and the angle of the face.
step 02
Establish the overall background tone with a dark, warm color.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face with a base layer of green-yellow, focusing on the highlights and shadows.
step 04
Begin layering in warmer tones to the face, using reds and oranges to create depth and dimension.
step 05
Paint the hair with a mix of reds, browns, and blacks, using loose brushstrokes to suggest texture and movement.
step 06
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Add subtle highlights and shadows to the clothing and background to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a harmonious and lifelike portrait.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · alizarin crimson · ivory black

secondary · raw sienna · cadmium red light

Mix yellow ochre and burnt umber for the base skin tone, adding alizarin crimson for warmth and ivory black for shadows. Use a combination of reds and browns for the hair, and add touches of yellow ochre for highlights.

techniques