plate no. 6654
Mary Logsdail
William Logsdail, 1910
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating depth and atmosphere in a landscape background.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions.
- step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of dark greens and browns.
- step 03
Establish the basic values of the figure, focusing on the highlights and shadows on the dress.
- step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
- step 05
Develop the details of the dress, including the folds, drapery, and textures.
- step 06
Add the purple sash, blending the colors to create a soft, flowing effect.
- step 07
Refine the background, adding details such as trees and foliage to create depth.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to the figure and background to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber · yellow ochre
secondary · dioxazine purple · sap green · cadmium yellow light
Mix various shades of gray by combining ivory black and titanium white. Achieve the dress's silvery sheen by layering thin glazes of gray and white. Mix greens for the background by combining sap green, yellow ochre, and raw umber.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details of the face too early.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in color temperature.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·dioxazine purple oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to thin the paint and improve blending.
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