plate no. 0702

Maude Gonne

oilNaturalismportraitportraitwomanhatfigureclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portrait sketching, value shading, and creating soft, atmospheric effects. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and expression with limited color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and hat.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas using a soft charcoal or pastel pencil.
step 03
Begin layering in the mid-tones, focusing on the planes of the face and the folds of the clothing.
step 04
Use blending tools (tortillon, soft cloth) to soften edges and create smooth transitions.
step 05
Add darker values to define the features and create depth.
step 06
Introduce subtle color variations to the skin tones and clothing.
step 07
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Add final highlights to the face and hat to create a sense of light and form.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix ivory black and raw umber for the dark areas. Add burnt sienna and yellow ochre to create warm skin tones. Use ultramarine blue to cool down shadows.

techniques