plate no. 6196

Little Sister Thuy

Tran Van Can, 1943

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigurechairgirldressindoor

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice portraiture, capturing likeness and subtle skin tones, as well as creating depth through layering and soft blending.

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 and chair.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, loose strokes of color.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the figure: skin, hair, and dress, using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin layering colors to build up the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations.
step 05
Define the features of the face, focusing on capturing the likeness.
step 06
Add details to the dress and chair, using visible brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Refine the background, adding depth and interest with subtle color variations.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of light.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt sienna · raw umber

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones by blending white, burnt sienna, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create dark browns and grays for shadows.

techniques

·dry brush texture
·layering
·soft blending
·color mixing
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality of the original.
→Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the figure.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin tones.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints (titanium white, burnt sienna, raw umber, cadmium red light, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife