plate no. 6395
Female portrait
Giacomo Favretto, 1880
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and creating depth with a limited color palette. It also provides practice in using visible brushstrokes to create texture and form.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head and shoulders.
- step 02
Establish the background color with broad strokes, using a mix of browns and reds.
- step 03
Block in the dark areas of the dress and hair, paying attention to the overall shape and volume.
- step 04
Begin to define the facial features, using subtle variations in tone to create form.
- step 05
Add highlights to the face and dress to create a sense of depth and dimension.
- step 06
Refine the details of the hair and clothing, using smaller brushstrokes to add texture.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a cohesive and harmonious image.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the portrait.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black
secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre
Achieve skin tones by mixing raw sienna, burnt umber, and a touch of cadmium red light. Darken colors with ivory black and lighten with yellow ochre.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·scumbling
- ·limited palette
- ·portrait sketching
- ·tonal painting
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in tone and value.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a canvas with a smooth texture to allow for subtle blending. Consider using a medium to thin the paint and improve flow.
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