plate no. 6863

Lily Williams

George Luks, 1909

oil, canvasNew Realismportraitfigureportraitchildcoathatclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing likeness with loose brushstrokes and understanding how to create depth using value and color temperature variations within a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark, neutral color.
step 03
Establish the main areas of color for the coat, face, and skirt.
step 04
Begin to refine the shapes and add details using visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Focus on capturing the light and shadow on the face to create a sense of depth.
step 06
Add highlights to the coat and skirt to create texture and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details of the hat and scarf.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · viridian green · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix greens by combining viridian green with varying amounts of yellow ochre and white. Achieve darker values by adding ivory black to the green and red mixtures. Use white to create highlights and lighter values.

techniques