plate no. 7122

Mary Wither of Andwell

oil, canvasBaroqueportraitportraitfiguredresshairpearlsframe

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding the use of light and shadow to create form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, frame and dress.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, neutral tone.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, and dress, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle variations in skin tone and the play of light and shadow.
step 05
Develop the details of the hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture and volume.
step 06
Work on the dress, capturing the folds and highlights to give it a sense of depth and dimension.
step 07
Add the details of the pearls and jewelry.
step 08
Finally, paint the frame, using a limited palette of browns and grays to create a sense of depth and texture.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use black and umber to create shadows and darker tones. The dress is primarily white with subtle mixtures of blue and black to create the silvery effect.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·blending
·chiaroscuro
·rendering fabric

common pitfalls

→Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a muddy or unnatural appearance.
→Failing to capture the subtle nuances of light and shadow, leading to a flat or lifeless portrait.
→Getting the proportions wrong, resulting in a distorted or inaccurate likeness.
→Not paying enough attention to the details of the hair and dress, which can add a sense of realism and depth to the painting.