plate no. 4644

Loves Me, Loves Me Not

Ethel Carrick, 1909

oilImpressionismportraitfigureportraitleavesdressflowerfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portrait painting, capturing light and shadow on fabric, and using broken color to create texture and depth. It also provides practice in depicting foliage with varied greens and yellows.

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 figure's pose and the placement of the foliage.
step 02
Establish the background foliage using a variety of green and yellow hues, applying broken color with visible brushstrokes.
step 03
Block in the figure's skin tones, paying attention to the light and shadow on the face and hands.
step 04
Start building the form of the dress, using light and shadow to create folds and volume.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add the pink ribbons and the flower, paying attention to their color and form.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of harmony and balance.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · viridian green · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · raw sienna

Mix various greens by combining viridian green with yellow ochre and cadmium yellow. Achieve skin tones by blending titanium white, burnt umber, and alizarin crimson. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·alla prima
·portraiture
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value, leading to a lack of depth.
→Getting bogged down in details too early in the process.
→Not paying enough attention to the light and shadow on the figure's face and clothing.