plate no. 2265

Mrs Violet M. Hammersley

Philip Wilson Steer, 1907

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitfiguredresslandscapetreesportraithat

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting light and shadow on fabric and capturing the essence of a portrait with loose, impressionistic brushstrokes. It's a good exercise in understanding how to create form with subtle value changes.

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 figure's pose and the placement of the hat and background elements.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of neutral colors, paying attention to the light source.
step 03
Begin blocking in the main colors of the dress, using a limited palette of whites, creams, and browns.
step 04
Develop the background foliage with loose, broken brushstrokes, varying the greens and browns.
step 05
Refine the figure's features, focusing on capturing the likeness and expression.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the dress to create a sense of volume and texture.
step 07
Paint the hat, paying attention to the details of the straw and ribbon.
step 08
Add final details and adjustments to the composition, ensuring that the overall effect is harmonious.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · yellow ochre

secondary · viridian green · burnt sienna · ivory black

Achieve the subtle variations in the dress by mixing white with small amounts of raw umber and yellow ochre. Use viridian green and burnt sienna to create natural-looking greens for the foliage.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·glazing
·alla prima
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details of the dress, resulting in a stiff and unnatural appearance.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the figure.
→Creating a background that is too busy or distracting.
→Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in a garish effect.