plate no. 1317

Lady Bird Johnson

Aaron Shikler, 1978

oilNew Realismportraitportraitfiguredressflowerslandscapesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing subtle skin tones and fabric folds. It also provides practice in rendering a landscape background with depth and atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's pose and placement within the landscape.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, background trees, field of flowers, and the figure's dress.
step 03
Develop the sky with soft, blended brushstrokes, adding subtle variations in color to suggest clouds.
step 04
Refine the background trees, paying attention to the shapes and values of the foliage.
step 05
Add details to the field of flowers, using small brushstrokes to create texture and variation.
step 06
Begin to develop the figure, focusing on the light and shadow on the dress and the folds of the fabric.
step 07
Work on the portrait, paying close attention to the skin tones and facial features.
step 08
Add final details such as the hat, jewelry, and any highlights or shadows that enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · titanium white · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · sap green

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · alizarin crimson · cadmium yellow

Mix various shades of blue and white for the sky. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber for the hat. Mix greens with blues and yellows for the foliage. Create subtle skin tones with white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red.

techniques