plate no. 6693

Kei-a-gis-gis, a woman of the Plains Ojibwa

oilRealismportraitportraitwomanOjibwajewelryclothinghair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting detailed ornamentation and soft background blending.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions of the face and body, paying attention to the placement of features.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of blended greens, yellows, and browns.
step 03
Block in the main skin tones using a mix of browns, reds, and yellows.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add details to the hair, using thin brushstrokes to create texture and volume.
step 06
Paint the clothing, paying attention to the folds and draping of the fabric.
step 07
Add the jewelry and ornamentation, using fine brushes to capture the intricate details.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and adding highlights and shadows.

color palette

primary · raw umber · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · titanium white

secondary · viridian · ivory black · gold

Achieve skin tones by mixing raw umber, yellow ochre, and cadmium red light, then lighten with titanium white. Use viridian and yellow ochre to create the subtle greens in the background.

techniques