plate no. 2326

Mrs. Sarah Clayton

oil, canvasBaroqueportraitportraitfigurelacetabledresssheet music

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating subtle value gradations to model form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and table.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of neutral color.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the dress, shawl, and face, using simplified color masses.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to light and shadow to create form.
step 05
Develop the details of the dress and shawl, focusing on the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 06
Add the lace details, using a fine brush and light, delicate strokes.
step 07
Paint the table and sheet music, paying attention to the wood grain and the details of the musical notation.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and realistic image.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · raw umber · alizarin crimson

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of grey and purple by combining black, white, and crimson. Use yellow ochre and raw umber to create the warm tones of the background and table.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·rendering fabric
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figure
→Overworking the details too early
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject
→Inaccurate color mixing

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (titanium white, ivory black, raw umber, alizarin crimson, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Rags