plate no. 0865

Gertie With Fur Coat

Isaac Israels, 1918

oilImpressionismportraitportraitfigurefur coatwomanhairface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and subtle skin tones, as well as understanding how to suggest texture with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hand.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of neutral gray, paying attention to the overall tone.
step 03
Establish the darkest values of the fur coat using a mix of burnt umber and black.
step 04
Begin to build up the skin tones using a limited palette of white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red, focusing on the highlights and shadows.
step 05
Paint the hair using a mix of browns and reds, suggesting the curls with short, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying close attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 07
Refine the fur coat, adding texture and depth with dry brush techniques.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition, ensuring that the values and colors are balanced.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. The fur coat is primarily burnt umber with hints of red and black. Use ultramarine blue to cool down the skin tones and create shadows.

techniques