plate no. 8582

Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis (Mrs. John F. Kennedy)

Aaron Shikler, 1970

oilNew Realismportraitportraitfiguredressflowersbustinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and creating soft, diffused lighting effects. It also provides practice in blending and layering colors to achieve subtle tonal variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of key elements like the bust and flowers.
step 02
Establish the overall warm tone of the painting with a thin wash of burnt sienna or raw umber.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, dress, and background, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 04
Begin layering colors to build up the form of the figure, focusing on the subtle transitions between light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the face, hair, and dress, using smaller brushes to create finer lines and textures.
step 06
Develop the background, including the bust, flowers, and wall, using a similar layering technique.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to completion.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · raw umber · alizarin crimson · ivory black

Achieve the skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and titanium white, with small amounts of alizarin crimson for warmth. Use raw umber and ivory black to create shadows and darker areas.

techniques

·layering
·blending
·scumbling
·glazing
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong foundation of values.
→Using colors that are too saturated or intense.
→Losing the overall sense of atmosphere and light.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt sienna, titanium white, raw umber, alizarin crimson, ivory black)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags or paper towels