plate no. 1942

Lady in Lavender Dress

Thomas Dewing, 1910

oilTonalismportraitfiguredressportraitfanbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in soft blending, creating atmospheric perspective, and capturing the essence of a subject with minimal detail. It also encourages experimentation with a limited color palette to achieve tonal harmony.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch of the figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Establish the overall background tone with a thin wash of burnt umber or similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the dress using a mix of white, blue, and a touch of the background color.
step 04
Soften the edges of the dress and blend the colors to create a hazy, ethereal effect.
step 05
Add subtle highlights to the figure's face, shoulders, and the folds of the dress.
step 06
Use short, broken strokes to suggest the texture of the dress and the fan.
step 07
Refine the details of the face and hands, keeping them soft and indistinct.
step 08
Adjust the overall values and tones to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · sap green

Achieve the subtle color variations by mixing small amounts of blue and white into the burnt umber. Use yellow ochre to warm up the background and add a touch of green for subtle shadows.

techniques