plate no. 1536

Little Bertha von Neuhaus with a hare

oil, canvasRomanticismportraitfigureportraitrabbitdraperyflowersbasket

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict different textures like fabric and fur.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figure, rabbit, and background elements.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors, focusing on the overall value structure of the painting.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, paying close attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Develop the details of the rabbit's fur, using layering and dry brush techniques to create texture.
step 05
Work on the drapery, capturing the folds and highlights with careful brushwork.
step 06
Add details to the flowers and basket, focusing on color and form.
step 07
Refine the background, ensuring it complements the foreground elements.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black · alizarin crimson

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Use ultramarine and white for the blue drapery, and mix red and umber for the red drapery.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·dry brush
·color blending

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figure or rabbit.
→Overly harsh or flat skin tones.
→Lack of depth and dimension in the drapery.
→Ignoring subtle color variations.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 18x24
·Oil paints (titanium white, burnt umber, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, ivory black, alizarin crimson)
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags