plate no. 9869
Merry
John Everett Millais, 1893
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as practicing soft blending techniques to create depth and form.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and bird.
- step 02
Establish the background with broad, blended strokes of dark browns and blacks.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the dress, bodice, and headscarf, using simplified color masses.
- step 04
Refine the skin tones with subtle layers of color, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Add details to the dress and bodice, such as folds, wrinkles, and textures.
- step 06
Paint the bird, focusing on its shape, color, and texture.
- step 07
Refine the facial features, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, to capture the likeness of the subject.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red
secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue
Mix various shades of brown for the background by combining burnt umber, ultramarine blue, and white. Achieve skin tones by blending white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·blending
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·rendering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
- →Neglecting the background, causing it to appear too harsh or distracting.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·oil paints (burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue)
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-grit canvas will provide a good surface for blending and layering.
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