plate no. 5638
Katharine Gray Dodge
Frank W. Benson, 1910
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing subtle skin tones and rendering fabric folds with soft edges. It also provides practice in creating a muted, harmonious color palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure.
- step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of muted green and gray tones.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, paying attention to the overall form and pose.
- step 04
Begin layering in skin tones, using subtle variations of pink, yellow, and white.
- step 05
Define the dress with light and shadow, indicating the folds and drapery.
- step 06
Add details to the hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture and highlights.
- step 07
Paint the flowers, focusing on capturing their color and form.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and realism.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · raw umber · alizarin crimson
secondary · ultramarine blue · violet · sap green
Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Mute the colors by adding a small amount of raw umber or ultramarine blue.
techniques
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·soft edges
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a muddy or unnatural appearance.
- →Creating harsh edges, which can flatten the form.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in color and value.
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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