plate no. 6790

Hanna in a Blue Dress (Portrait of the Artist's Wife)

oilSymbolismportraitfigureportraitdresstreesartistpalette

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones and fabric, and creating depth through layering and brushwork. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness and conveying a mood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, easel, and background.
step 02
Establish the main areas of color: the blue dress, skin tones, background greenery, and easel.
step 03
Begin layering the blue dress, focusing on the folds and shadows.
step 04
Mix and apply the skin tones, paying attention to the light and shadow on the face and hands.
step 05
Develop the background with loose brushstrokes, suggesting the trees and foliage.
step 06
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Refine the details of the easel and palette.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · ivory black

Mix various shades of blue by adding white and small amounts of black or umber. Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, white, and a touch of red and umber. Create greens by mixing blue and yellow.

techniques