plate no. 3851

Lady Catherine Bruce of Clackmannan

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguredresscurtainbookscolumn

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portrait painting, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as understanding subtle value changes to create form.

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 proportions and placement of the figure and key elements.
step 02
Establish the background with thin washes of color, paying attention to the subtle gradations in the curtain and sky.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, using a limited palette of dark and light tones.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and subtle value changes to create form.
step 05
Develop the details of the dress, paying attention to the folds and textures.
step 06
Add the details of the hands, books, and other accessories.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and adding highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final details and glazes to unify the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · viridian

Mix various shades of gray and black by combining ivory black and titanium white. Use raw umber to create warm shadows and earth tones. Add small amounts of cadmium red light and yellow ochre to create subtle skin tones.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·underpainting
·value studies
·blending

common pitfalls

→Inaccurate proportions in the initial sketch.
→Overworking the details before establishing the overall values.
→Using too much color too early in the painting process.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and realism.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, titanium white, raw umber, cadmium red light, yellow ochre, viridian)
·Brushes (round and flat, various sizes)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags