plate no. 5860
Girl Wearing a Bonnet
Joshua Johnson, 1810
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric folds. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth using subtle value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, dress, and bonnet.
- step 03
Establish the basic skin tones and facial features.
- step 04
Refine the details of the dress, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
- step 05
Add highlights to the bonnet and dress to create a sense of volume.
- step 06
Carefully render the facial features, focusing on the eyes and mouth.
- step 07
Add the lace details on the bonnet and collar.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to values and details to achieve a cohesive and realistic portrait.
color palette
primary · red ochre · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre
Mix red ochre and burnt umber for the dress, adding white to lighten. Use white with a touch of yellow ochre for the bonnet. Create skin tones by mixing white, red ochre, and a touch of burnt umber.
techniques
- ·portrait sketching
- ·color mixing
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·rendering fabric
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early
- →Incorrect proportions in the initial sketch
- →Muddying the colors by over-mixing
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits (for cleaning)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·easel
- ·medium gloss
A smooth canvas surface will be easier to blend on. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the painting process.
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