plate no. 0508

Mary Victoria Leiter

William Logsdail, 1909

oilRealismportraitfigureportraitdresscrownjewelryinterior

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as the ability to depict complex textures and patterns in clothing.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the overall composition and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the background, skin tones, and the basic shapes of the dress.
step 03
Develop the values and tones in the face, paying close attention to the light and shadow to create form.
step 04
Begin to add details to the dress, working from general shapes to more specific patterns and textures.
step 05
Refine the background, adding details to the curtains and chair.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the jewelry and crown to create a sense of realism.
step 07
Pay attention to the details of the hands and arms, ensuring accurate proportions and realistic rendering.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition, ensuring that all elements work together harmoniously.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

secondary · viridian · ultramarine blue · gold ochre

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. The gold of the dress is achieved by layering yellows and browns, and glazing with transparent colors. The background is created by layering dark reds and browns.

techniques