plate no. 3967

Julie Daydreaming

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitportraitfigurewomandresshairhands

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing soft lighting and subtle color variations in skin tones. It also provides practice in loose, expressive brushwork to create a sense of movement and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the pose and composition.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of muted greens and browns.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the figure, including the dress, hair, and skin, using simplified color masses.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 05
Develop the details of the dress, using loose brushstrokes to suggest texture and form.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension in the figure.
step 07
Refine the hair, using a variety of brushstrokes to capture its texture and movement.
step 08
Add final touches and adjustments to the overall composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · yellow ochre

secondary · alizarin crimson · viridian · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use raw umber and viridian to create the muted greens of the background. Add small amounts of ultramarine blue to darken shadows.

techniques