plate no. 8433
Patience and the Passing of Time
Kit Williams, 1979
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, rendering realistic skin tones, and creating depth through layering and subtle color variations. It also offers practice in painting intricate details and textures.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 30 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and proportions, paying close attention to the perspective of the room and the placement of the figure.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors, starting with the background and working your way forward.
- step 03
Focus on the skin tones of the woman, using a limited palette to create subtle variations in color and value.
- step 04
Add details to the clothing, hair, and jewelry, paying attention to the textures and patterns.
- step 05
Carefully render the playing cards, ensuring that the details are accurate and legible.
- step 06
Refine the background details, including the furniture, decorations, and lighting.
- step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Review the entire painting and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that the composition is balanced and harmonious.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
secondary · viridian · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna
Mix skin tones using titanium white, raw umber, yellow ochre, and a touch of cadmium red light. Use viridian and ultramarine blue to create the green tones for the cardigan and playing table. Burnt sienna can be used to create the wood tones.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·layering
- ·color mixing
- ·rendering textures
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
- →Overworking the skin tones and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to capture the subtle details of the clothing and jewelry.
- →Ignoring the perspective of the room and creating a flat, unrealistic composition.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 0, 2, 4)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 6, 8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil or acrylic medium
- ·odorless mineral spirits or water
optional
- ·retarder medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality paints and brushes for best results. Consider using a medium to slow the drying time of the paints and allow for more blending.
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