plate no. 9551
Pavonia
Frederic Leighton, 1859
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate skin tone mixing and rendering of fabric folds. It also provides practice in depicting textures like feathers and pearls.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of the peacock feathers.
- step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of muted colors, creating a soft, atmospheric effect.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, starting with the face and neck, using a limited palette of skin tones.
- step 04
Develop the details of the face, paying close attention to the subtle variations in color and value to create a realistic likeness.
- step 05
Paint the dress, focusing on the folds and drapery, using highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume.
- step 06
Render the peacock feathers, capturing their intricate patterns and textures with small, precise brushstrokes.
- step 07
Add the finishing touches, such as the jewelry and the details of the hair, to complete the painting.
- step 08
Glaze the painting to unify the colors and create a sense of depth.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · raw sienna
Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, and titanium white, with small amounts of cadmium red for warmth. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the dark tones in the hair and background.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·portraiture
- ·drapery
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of the figure.
- →Overly harsh or unnatural skin tones.
- →Lack of detail in the peacock feathers.
- →Flat or lifeless rendering of the fabric.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, ivory black, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, raw sienna)
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
optional
- ·Retouch varnish
- ·Medium gloss
- ·Easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to improve the flow and blending of the paints.
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