plate no. 6467

Hanging Holly, by J. C. Leyendecker. Saturday Evening Post Cover, December 21, 1918

J. C. Leyendecker, 1918

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)illustrationfigureportraithollycandlesmirrordress

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, figure drawing, and rendering fabrics with subtle color variations. It also provides practice in creating realistic textures for elements like holly leaves and candles.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the figure, the mirror, and the garland.
step 02
Block in the basic colors of the background and the figure's dress with thin washes.
step 03
Establish the light and shadow on the figure, paying attention to the subtle gradations of color in the dress.
step 04
Paint the portrait in the mirror, focusing on accurate proportions and skin tones.
step 05
Add details to the garland, including the leaves and berries, using varying shades of green and red.
step 06
Refine the details of the candles and candelabras, adding highlights and shadows.
step 07
Add the lettering and other graphic elements of the magazine cover.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · viridian · burnt umber · alizarin crimson · cerulean blue

Mix various shades of pink and peach for the dress by combining white, red, and a touch of yellow ochre. Achieve the green for the holly by mixing viridian with yellow ochre and a touch of burnt umber for darker shades.

techniques