plate no. 7368

Portrait of a Dancer

oilRealismportraitfigureportraitdancerfoliagejewelrydress

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict fabric and jewelry.

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 on the canvas, paying attention to the pose and overall composition.
step 02
Establish the background by loosely blocking in the dark greens and browns of the foliage.
step 03
Mix skin tones using a limited palette and apply them to the face, arms, and legs, focusing on the light and shadow areas.
step 04
Paint the dress using a mix of reds and pinks, creating folds and highlights to suggest the fabric's texture.
step 05
Add the details of the jewelry, such as the necklace and armbands, using yellows and golds.
step 06
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth to capture the likeness of the subject.
step 07
Add the floral garland and other decorative elements, using whites and greens.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red · yellow ochre

secondary · viridian green · alizarin crimson · cadmium yellow light

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use burnt umber and viridian green for the darker foliage. Mix alizarin crimson with white for the pink dress.

techniques