plate no. 0252

Natalie at Ten

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguregirlclothinghairhistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as practicing loose brushwork and creating depth through 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 shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hands.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin layer of dark red-brown paint.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, green dress, and gold sleeves.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the details of the hair, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture and volume.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the clothing to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in color and value.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · ivory black · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · viridian

secondary · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

Mix skin tones using a combination of white, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, and a touch of raw umber. Achieve the green of the dress by mixing viridian with yellow and a touch of black.

techniques