plate no. 0047

Mrs. Frederick Mead (Mary Eliza Scribner)

oil, canvasRealismportraitportraitfigurewomanclothinghatchair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering subtle skin tones, as well as understanding how to suggest form with loose brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the main color areas, focusing on the larger shapes of the face, clothing, and background.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle shifts in color and value.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing and hat, using loose brushstrokes to suggest texture and form.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the background, ensuring it complements the figure without distracting from it.
step 08
Add final details and adjustments to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre · viridian

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Darken with raw umber and lighten with white. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create the darks in the clothing.

techniques