plate no. 3277

Old woman

oil, canvasRomanticismportraitportraitfigureclothinglacejewelryheadwear

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. Students can also develop skills in depicting fabric textures and details, such as lace and folds.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure, paying attention to the placement of the head, shoulders, and hands.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of muted green and brown tones.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, focusing on the dark areas of the clothing and hair.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the values and subtle color variations in the skin.
step 05
Add the details of the lace collar and headwear, using small brushes to create the intricate patterns.
step 06
Paint the jewelry and other accessories, capturing their reflective qualities and textures.
step 07
Refine the folds and shadows in the clothing, adding depth and dimension to the figure.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna

secondary · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by blending white, raw umber, burnt sienna, and small amounts of alizarin crimson and yellow ochre. Achieve the dark tones of the clothing by mixing ivory black with raw umber and a touch of ultramarine blue. Muted greens are created by mixing raw umber, yellow ochre, and a small amount of ultramarine blue.

techniques