plate no. 3243

Girl with a Book

Ivan Tvorozhnikov, 1900

oil, canvasRealismportraitportraitfiguregirlbookclothingapron

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and creating realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to suggest form with loose brushwork and subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and book.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: background, skin, clothing, and book.
step 03
Start refining the skin tones, paying attention to subtle shifts in value and hue.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, focusing on the folds and shadows.
step 05
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Refine the background, adding texture and subtle variations in color.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to the figure and book.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt sienna · cadmium red light · ivory black

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, red, sienna, and a touch of blue. The background is a mix of white, black, and blue. The red of the dress is a mix of red and sienna.

techniques