plate no. 2401

Miss Chester (Eliza Jane Chester) (1795–1859)

oilRococoportraitportraitfigurehatdressskyfeathers

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as practicing soft blending techniques to create a sense of atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of key elements like the head, hat, and hands.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, blended strokes of muted blues and grays.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, using light and shadow to define the form of the face, dress, and hat.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle variations in skin tone and the highlights in the eyes.
step 05
Add details to the dress and hat, including the folds of the fabric and the texture of the feathers.
step 06
Render the sheer fabric draped around the figure, using thin washes of color and delicate brushstrokes.
step 07
Add the bracelet and the red sash.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · cadmium red light · Prussian blue

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black · alizarin crimson

Achieve skin tones by mixing titanium white, cadmium red light, and a touch of raw umber. Use Prussian blue and raw umber to create the muted grays of the background.

techniques

·portraiture
·blending
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the face, leading to a stiff and unnatural appearance.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, resulting in a flat and lifeless painting.
→Using colors that are too saturated, creating a garish and unrealistic effect.
→Ignoring the subtle nuances of light and shadow, resulting in a lack of depth and dimension.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, raw umber, cadmium red light, Prussian blue, yellow ochre, ivory black, alizarin crimson)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags