plate no. 3513

Lady with a Rose

Thomas Dewing, 1923

oil, canvasTonalismportraitfiguredressportraitroseindoorchair

some experience helpful

This painting provides a great opportunity to practice soft blending techniques and capturing a sense of atmosphere through subtle value changes. Students can also learn to simplify forms and suggest details rather than rendering them precisely.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic figure pose and proportions on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the overall background tone with a thin wash of dark color.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure and dress, focusing on the large value masses.
step 04
Begin blending the edges of the figure and dress into the background, creating soft transitions.
step 05
Add subtle highlights to the dress and face, using thin layers of paint.
step 06
Indicate the details of the rose and the chair with minimal brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the overall composition and adjust values as needed.
step 08
Add final glazes to unify the painting and enhance the atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · alizarin crimson · burnt sienna

Achieve the muted tones by mixing black and umber with white. Add small amounts of crimson or sienna to warm the colors. Use glazes of thinned color to create depth and atmosphere.

techniques