plate no. 2070
Mrs Sarah Siddons (1755–1831), as Euphrasia
William Hamilton, 1784
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering drapery and capturing realistic skin tones. It will also provide practice in creating atmospheric perspective and depicting a complex figure.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's pose and proportions.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color: the background sky and sea, the figure's dress, and the dark areas of the interior.
- step 03
Begin to refine the figure's face and hands, paying attention to light and shadow.
- step 04
Develop the details of the dress, focusing on the folds and highlights.
- step 05
Add details to the background, including the tower and the waves.
- step 06
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed.
- step 07
Add final details, such as the jewelry and the patterns on the dress.
- step 08
Glaze to unify the colors and add depth.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre · burnt umber
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson
Mix various shades of white with small amounts of yellow ochre, burnt umber, and black to create the subtle variations in the dress. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, and mix burnt umber and yellow ochre for the warm tones in the background.
techniques
- ·drapery rendering
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →getting the proportions of the figure wrong
- →overworking the details of the dress
- →failing to create a sense of depth in the background
- →making the skin tones look flat or unnatural
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the overall color scheme.
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