plate no. 4762

Nerissa

John William Godward, 1906

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitfigureportraitflowersmarblefoliageclassical

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, fabric rendering, and creating subtle color gradations to achieve realistic skin tones and textures. It also provides practice in depicting complex drapery and botanical elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch, focusing on accurate proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: background, skin tones, drapery.
step 03
Develop the skin tones using layering and subtle blending techniques.
step 04
Work on the drapery, paying attention to folds and highlights.
step 05
Add details to the face, including eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Paint the foliage and flowers, focusing on accurate shapes and colors.
step 07
Refine the marble surface, capturing its texture and reflections.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance realism.

color palette

primary · titanium white · cadmium red · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · viridian · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, and a touch of raw umber. Create the green drapery by mixing viridian with yellow ochre and a touch of white. Use alizarin crimson and cadmium red for the red accents.

techniques