plate no. 7475
Mrs Richard Day
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch of the overall composition, paying attention to proportions and placement of the figure.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using a limited palette of earth tones.
- step 03
Refine the skin tones by layering and blending colors, focusing on subtle value changes to create form.
- step 04
Add details to the facial features, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying close attention to accuracy.
- step 05
Paint the clothing and background, using darker values to create contrast and depth.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and dimension.
- step 07
Refine the details and edges, softening or hardening them as needed.
- step 08
Add final touches and adjustments to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson
Mix the skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use raw umber and ivory black for the dark areas and background. Add small amounts of blue to darken the shadows.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·value studies
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Inaccurate proportions of the face and features.
- →Overly harsh or muddy skin tones.
- →Lack of attention to subtle value changes.
- →Ignoring the importance of edges and details.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·alizarin crimson oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-sized canvas (16x20 inches) is recommended for beginners.
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