plate no. 9582

Mrs Alice Wood

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguredresscurtainjewelrybook

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabrics with subtle highlights and shadows. It also provides practice in creating realistic skin tones and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of color, focusing on the overall tone.
step 03
Establish the basic shapes and values of the dress, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
step 04
Start building up the skin tones, using thin layers of paint and subtle blending.
step 05
Refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness and expression.
step 06
Add details such as the jewelry, book, and hair, using smaller brushes.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a polished look.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · emerald green · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of burnt umber. Use ultramarine blue and white to create the cool tones in the shadows. Mix emerald green and ivory black for the book.

techniques