plate no. 5085

Old Lady with Scar on her Cheek

oilRealismportraitportraitfigureold womanheadscarfclothingface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, rendering subtle tonal variations, and capturing likeness. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form using light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the overall composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Establish the basic shapes of the face and clothing with light washes of diluted paint.
step 03
Begin building up the darker values in the shadows, paying attention to the contours of the face and clothing.
step 04
Gradually add mid-tones, blending them smoothly into the shadows and highlights.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using smaller brushes.
step 06
Add the headscarf, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
step 07
Adjust the values and tones throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber

Mix ivory black and raw umber to create the various shades of gray and brown. Use titanium white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Add small amounts of yellow ochre or burnt umber to warm up the colors as needed.

techniques