plate no. 4565
María Hahn
Raimundo de Madrazo, 1905
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as practice subtle color mixing for skin tones and fabric textures. Students will also learn to create depth using value and color variations.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the skin, hair, dress, and background.
- step 04
Begin refining the skin tones, paying attention to subtle color variations and highlights.
- step 05
Develop the details of the dress, lace, and pearls, using small brushstrokes.
- step 06
Add the details of the hair, eyes, and mouth, focusing on capturing the likeness of the subject.
- step 07
Refine the background and adjust the overall values and colors.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ivory black · burnt umber · yellow ochre
secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · viridian
Mix skin tones using titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Achieve the dark background by mixing ivory black, burnt umber, and a touch of ultramarine blue.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Inaccurate proportions of the face and body.
- →Overly harsh or flat skin tones.
- →Losing the likeness of the subject.
- →Getting the values incorrect, resulting in a lack of depth.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·alizarin crimson oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·turpentine
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to improve the flow and blending of the paints.
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