plate no. 8267

Mary Anne Moore

Clarence Holbrook Carter, 1932

oilMagic Realismportraitportraitfigurebuildingsskywindow

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle skin tone blending, as well as architectural rendering and atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the figure and buildings, paying attention to proportions and perspective.
step 02
Block in the main colors of the background buildings and sky with thin washes.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones of the face and body, focusing on light and shadow.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, doors, and architectural elements.
step 06
Blend and refine the skin tones, adding subtle variations in color and value.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Apply final details and adjustments to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Achieve the sky and building colors by mixing blue, white, and small amounts of umber or sienna.

techniques