plate no. 4121
Jessie Sutherland
Jane Sutherland, 1905
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing to achieve realistic skin tones, and using brushstrokes to define form and texture. It also offers practice in capturing a likeness and conveying a sense of character.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and hair.
- step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of mixed browns and pinks.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face, using a limited palette of skin tones.
- step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the shapes of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 05
Add details to the hair, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest texture and volume.
- step 06
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and shadows.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and realism.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the portrait.
color palette
primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black · alizarin crimson
Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Use blue and black sparingly to create shadows and cool tones. Achieve the background color by mixing browns, pinks, and a hint of purple.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·color mixing
- ·blending
- ·broken brushstrokes
- ·value studies
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors and creating muddy tones.
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
- →Using too much detail and losing the overall impression.
- →Ignoring the importance of light and shadow.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·oil paints (titanium white, burnt umber, yellow ochre, cadmium red light, ultramarine blue, ivory black, alizarin crimson)
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium can be added to the paint to improve flow and drying time.
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