plate no. 6902
Mrs. Abraham White, Jr. and Daughter Rose
Joshua Johnson, 1809
some experience helpful
This painting offers practice in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. Students can learn about limited color palettes and subtle value shifts to create form.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of figures.
- step 02
Block in the background with a thin, even layer of color.
- step 03
Establish the main shapes of the figures, starting with the darkest values.
- step 04
Gradually build up the skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Paint the dresses, focusing on the folds and drapery.
- step 06
Add details like the lace, book, and strawberry.
- step 07
Refine the facial features and hair.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · flesh tint
secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre
Mix flesh tones by blending white, red, and yellow ochre. Use raw umber and ivory black to create dark browns and blacks for the dress and background. Add white to these mixtures to create lighter shades.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subjects.
- →Overworking the details, making the painting look stiff.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a smooth canvas for best results. Consider using a medium to thin the paint for easier blending.
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