plate no. 7970

Girl with Folded Hands

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguregirlclothinghandsjewelry

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also offers practice in depicting fabric and details like the decorative trim and jewelry.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of red and brown.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, focusing on the overall values and color temperature.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the proportions and subtle variations in skin tone.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the decorative trim and buttons.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Paint the hands, carefully observing the shapes and folds.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and details.

color palette

primary · red ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · Prussian blue

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of red-brown for the background. Use white and small amounts of blue and umber to create the grey-green of the dress. Mix black and white for the trim, adding small amounts of other colors to adjust the tone.

techniques