plate no. 4979

Peggy Ashcroft as Juliet, London

Ethel Léontine Gabain, 1935

oilNeo-Romanticismportraitportraitfiguredresscurtainsfabricgold patterns

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as practicing fabric folds and decorative patterns.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Establish the main areas of color: skin, dress, and background.
step 03
Block in the shadows and highlights on the face and dress.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the dress, including the gold patterns and folds.
step 06
Work on the background, defining the curtains and their patterns.
step 07
Refine the edges and add final details to the entire painting.
step 08
Add signature.

color palette

primary · orange · white · green · red

secondary · yellow · brown · pink

Mix various shades of orange by combining red, yellow, and a touch of brown. Achieve skin tones by blending white, pink, yellow, and a small amount of brown or green.

techniques