plate no. 9691

Mrs Huxley

John Collier, 1928

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguredresswood panelface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as understanding of light and shadow to create form. It also provides practice in depicting textures like fabric and wood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the main shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Establish the darkest and lightest values to define the overall tonal range.
step 03
Begin blocking in the background wood panel with varying shades of brown and gray.
step 04
Start building up the skin tones using thin layers of paint, focusing on subtle value changes.
step 05
Work on the dress, paying attention to the folds and details of the fabric.
step 06
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the figure.
step 08
Add final details such as the lace collar and the inscription on the wood panel.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber

Mix various shades of gray by combining ivory black and titanium white. Add small amounts of raw umber or yellow ochre to warm up the skin tones. Use burnt umber for the darkest shadows.

techniques