plate no. 5895

Mrs. Joseph Clark Grew [Alice Perry Grew]

Lilla Cabot Perry, 1904

oilImpressionismportraitportraitfiguredressflowerswallframe

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing subtle skin tones and rendering fabric with soft, blended brushstrokes. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through color and value variations.

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 the main elements.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of diluted paint.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, using simplified color masses for the skin, dress, and flowers.
step 04
Begin refining the skin tones, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color and value.
step 05
Develop the details of the dress, using soft, blended brushstrokes to create the impression of fabric.
step 06
Add the flowers, focusing on capturing their form and texture with small, deliberate strokes.
step 07
Refine the background and add any final details, such as the frame and the subtle shadows.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the painting and adjust the values.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson

secondary · ultramarine blue · violet · burnt umber

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use ultramarine blue and alizarin crimson to create various shades of violet for the dress and flowers. Burnt umber is used for shadows and to darken other colors.

techniques

·portraiture
·blending
·glazing
·color mixing
·rendering fabric

common pitfalls

→Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
→Failing to capture the subtle shifts in color and value, leading to a lack of depth.
→Using harsh or abrupt brushstrokes, which can detract from the overall softness of the painting.
→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong