plate no. 1762

Feeding new friends

oilAcademicismportraitfigurecatsportraitinteriorclothinganimals

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, depicting realistic textures in fabric and fur, and understanding subtle color variations to create form and depth. It's also a good exercise in capturing the likeness of both human and animal subjects.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes: the girl, the cats, the pillows, and the background.
step 02
Establish the basic color blocks for the background, the girl's skin, hair, and dress, and the cats' fur.
step 03
Refine the values and colors in the girl's face, paying close attention to the subtle shifts in tone.
step 04
Develop the details of the cats, focusing on capturing their individual markings and poses.
step 05
Add details to the fabric and lace, using highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and texture.
step 06
Refine the background, adding details to the curtains and wall.
step 07
Pay attention to the details of the spoon and the plate, capturing the light reflecting off of them.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors, values, and details to create a cohesive and realistic image.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, raw umber, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Mix blues and whites for the fabric. Use burnt sienna, raw umber, and black for the cats' fur.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·blending
·rendering fur

common pitfalls

→Oversimplifying the color palette and losing the subtle variations in tone.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the girl and the cats.
→Getting lost in the details and losing the overall composition.
→Not paying enough attention to the light and shadow, resulting in a flat image.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 18x24
·Oil paints: titanium white, raw umber, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson, ivory black
·Round brushes sizes #2, #4, #6
·Flat brushes sizes #4, #8
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Palette
·Palette knife