plate no. 0192

Lady with Cape and Hat

oilSymbolismportraitportraitfigurehatcapeshadowslight

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to use a limited palette to create depth and mood, and how to suggest form through subtle variations in value and texture. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness with minimal detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare a toned canvas with a mid-tone brown.
step 02
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, hat, and background.
step 03
Block in the darkest areas of the cape and hat with a dark brown.
step 04
Establish the light source by painting the brightest area with a light ochre.
step 05
Begin building up the form of the face with subtle variations of brown and ochre.
step 06
Use dry brush techniques to create texture in the hat and cape.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, paying attention to the eyes and mouth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw umber · yellow ochre

secondary · titanium white · ivory black

Mix burnt umber and raw umber for the dark areas. Add yellow ochre and a touch of white to create lighter tones for the face and background. Use white sparingly for highlights.

techniques

·dry brushing
·scumbling
·tonal painting
·limited palette
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details of the face.
→Creating too much contrast, resulting in a harsh image.
→Using too much white, making the painting look chalky.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in value.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·burnt umber oil paint
·raw umber oil paint
·yellow ochre oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·palette
·linseed oil

optional

·palette knife
·medium (e.g., Liquin)
·easel

A pre-toned canvas will save time and help establish the overall mood of the painting. Consider using a slightly textured canvas to enhance the dry brush effect.

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