plate no. 5653
Felicity
George Henry, 1916
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective and creating depth through color and brushwork.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, table, and background.
- step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with a thin wash of color.
- step 03
Begin building up the skin tones, focusing on subtle variations in color and value.
- step 04
Paint the dress and shawl, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
- step 05
Develop the background foliage, using broken brushstrokes to create a sense of depth and texture.
- step 06
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 07
Refine the edges and details throughout the painting.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall effect.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · cerulean blue · raw umber
secondary · cadmium red light · viridian green · ivory black
Mix skin tones using titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red light, and a touch of raw umber. Create the greens for the background by mixing cerulean blue, yellow ochre, and viridian green. Use raw umber and ivory black for shadows and details.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·broken brushstrokes
- ·color mixing
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones and losing the freshness of the brushwork.
- →Failing to establish a clear sense of light and shadow.
- →Making the background too detailed and distracting from the figure.
- →Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·mahl stick
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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