plate no. 1035

Old Jewish Woman

oilRealismportraitportraitfigurewomanclothinghead coveringhand

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, focusing on capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones and textures. It also provides practice in creating depth and form using light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the main shapes and proportions of the figure.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, warm tone, leaving the figure's area untouched.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: skin, clothing, and head covering, using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin to refine the skin tones, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, focusing on the folds and textures.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and red with white to achieve the skin tones. Use yellow ochre and white for highlights on the head covering. Mix black with umber for the darkest shadows.

techniques