plate no. 6559

Kate Field

oilAcademicismportraitportraitfiguredresscouchfabricwoman

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict fabric and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and the main shapes of the composition.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of yellow ochre, paying attention to subtle variations in tone.
step 03
Establish the basic values of the dress using a mix of black and burnt umber, gradually building up darker areas.
step 04
Begin working on the skin tones, using a limited palette of white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red.
step 05
Carefully model the face, paying attention to the highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth.
step 06
Add the details of the dress, including the lace and the red sash.
step 07
Refine the background and the couch, adding subtle details and textures.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall realism of the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · black · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a small amount of red. Darken the black with burnt umber for a richer tone. Create subtle variations in the background by adding small amounts of burnt umber or red to the yellow ochre.

techniques