plate no. 7121

Lilacs

oilRealismportraitportraitfigurelilacsflowersclothinghand

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing subtle skin tones and creating depth with layering. It also offers practice in rendering floral details and creating a moody atmosphere.

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 lilacs.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, loose strokes of dark browns and ochres.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, paying attention to the values of the clothing and skin.
step 04
Begin layering the skin tones, using subtle variations of color to create form and depth.
step 05
Add details to the face, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Paint the lilacs, using a variety of purples and greens to capture their texture and color.
step 07
Refine the details of the clothing and background, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Add final touches and glazes to unify the painting and enhance the overall mood.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · cadmium yellow

Achieve skin tones by mixing raw sienna, burnt umber, and titanium white, with small touches of alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue for shadows. Create the lilac colors by mixing ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson, and white, adjusting the proportions to achieve different shades of purple.

techniques