plate no. 6312

Lenna, the Artist's Daughter, in a Chinese Costume

William James Glackens, 1918

oilImpressionismportraitfigureportraitclothingchairfabriccarpet

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and capturing the texture of fabrics through broken brushstrokes. It also provides practice in rendering a portrait with soft, diffused lighting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of the chair.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: the background, the girl's clothing, and the carpet.
step 03
Begin layering colors within each area, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 04
Pay close attention to the subtle color variations in the skin tones and the folds of the fabric.
step 05
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the details of the clothing, including the patterns and embellishments.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and harmony.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and texture.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

secondary · titanium white · burnt sienna · viridian

Mix red and yellow to create the warm tones of the background and carpet. Combine blue and white for the girl's clothing, adding touches of yellow and red for variation. Use burnt sienna and white for skin tones.

techniques