plate no. 6471

Jennie

Lois Mailou Jones, 1943

oilPost-Impressionismportraitfigurekitchenportraitfishstill lifecabinet

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones and creating depth through layering and subtle value changes. It also provides practice in capturing the texture of different surfaces with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and key objects.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of neutral colors, indicating the cabinet and other elements.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, using simplified color blocks for the skin, dress, and hair.
step 04
Begin refining the skin tones, mixing various shades of brown, yellow, and red to capture the nuances of light and shadow.
step 05
Develop the details of the dress, paying attention to the folds and highlights, and using thicker paint application.
step 06
Add details to the fish and other objects on the table, focusing on texture and form.
step 07
Refine the background, adding details to the cabinet and objects on the shelves.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension throughout the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of brown and yellow with white to achieve the skin tones. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create neutral grays for the background and shadows. Mix cadmium yellow with white and a touch of red for the dress.

techniques