plate no. 1545

My Daughter

Frank W. Benson, 1912

oilRealismportraitportraitfigurehatclothingnecklaceshadows

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing subtle skin tones and rendering light and shadow. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through tonal variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, hat, and background.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark background and lighter areas of the figure.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, focusing on the subtle shifts in color and value.
step 04
Develop the details of the hat, clothing, and necklace, paying attention to the way light interacts with each element.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Soften edges and blend colors to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, ensuring accurate proportions and a likeness to the original.
step 08
Add final touches and adjustments to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna

secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones using white, raw umber, burnt sienna, and small amounts of alizarin crimson and yellow ochre. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber for the dark background.

techniques