plate no. 7268
Helen of Troy
Dante Gabriel Rossetti, 1863
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering realistic skin tones and detailed hair, as well as understanding color relationships in a limited palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure.
- step 02
Establish the background with dark, muted tones.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the face, hair, and clothing with thin washes of color.
- step 04
Begin layering skin tones, paying close attention to subtle variations in color and value.
- step 05
Develop the hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture and volume.
- step 06
Add details to the clothing and jewelry, focusing on patterns and highlights.
- step 07
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · viridian · ivory black
Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, and titanium white, with small amounts of cadmium red for warmth. Use viridian and ivory black to create muted greens for the jewelry.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
- ·color layering
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Getting lost in details too early in the process.
- →Not paying enough attention to the subtle color variations in the skin.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the overall color scheme.
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