plate no. 9564

John Singer Sargent

Andrey Allakhverdov, 2017

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguresinteriorartistclothingfurniture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones and fabrics, and capturing the essence of a subject with expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in depicting complex compositions with multiple figures and objects.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a rough sketch outlining the main figures and their positions.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of color.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones and clothing colors for each figure.
step 04
Develop the details of the faces, focusing on accurate proportions and expressions.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and volume in the figures and clothing.
step 06
Paint the furniture and other objects in the scene, paying attention to their textures and colors.
step 07
Refine the brushwork and add final details to complete the painting.
step 08
Varnish for protection and to enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · violet · sap green

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, cadmium red, yellow ochre, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and violet to create shadows and depth in the clothing and background. Mix white with small amounts of violet or blue for the light fabrics.

techniques