plate no. 2526

La Collection Vernet

oil, linenContemporary Realismsketch and studyfiguresportraitswomenhairfacessketch

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portrait sketching, layering paint, and creating a sense of depth with a limited color palette. It also encourages experimentation with visible brushstrokes to add texture and character.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the grid and the basic shapes of the figures, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of neutral gray, allowing some of the linen to show through.
step 03
Start layering in the skin tones, using a mix of white, ochre, and a touch of red. Build up the values gradually.
step 04
Paint the hair using a mix of brown and black, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 05
Add details to the faces, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 06
Use white paint to suggest the clothing, applying it with loose, expressive brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting the values and colors as needed.
step 08
Add final touches and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · ivory black · cadmium red light

Mix white with small amounts of ochre and red for skin tones. Use burnt umber and black for hair, adding white for highlights. Achieve the background gray by mixing white, black, and a touch of umber.

techniques

·dry brushing
·scumbling
·layering
·limited palette
·portrait sketching

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality of the original.
→Using too much paint and creating a heavy, muddy effect.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in skin tone.
→Ignoring the importance of the background in creating depth and atmosphere.