plate no. 9647

Girl in a Dark Dress

Lucian Freud, 1951

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfigurefacehairclothingneutral background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in subtle color mixing for skin tones and understanding how light and shadow define form. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and expression.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the face and clothing.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of neutral gray.
step 03
Establish the main shadow shapes on the face using a mix of browns and blues.
step 04
Begin layering in lighter skin tones, focusing on subtle color variations.
step 05
Paint the hair, paying attention to the direction of the strands and highlights.
step 06
Define the features of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, with careful observation.
step 07
Paint the dark dress, using a mix of blacks and browns to create depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to refine the portrait.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · ivory black

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones by blending white, umber, sienna, and small amounts of red and blue. Use blue and black to create cool shadows. Add yellow ochre for warmer highlights.

techniques

·layering
·blending
·scumbling
·glazing
·observational drawing

common pitfalls

→Oversimplifying skin tones and creating a flat, lifeless appearance.
→Failing to accurately capture the proportions and features of the face.
→Using too much black and creating a muddy or dull painting.
→Ignoring subtle color variations in the hair and clothing.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, raw umber, burnt sienna, ivory black, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, cadmium red light)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags