plate no. 7564

Portrait of a girl

oilRealismportraitportraitfigurechildhairclothingface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in tonal value studies and capturing likeness through subtle shading. It also provides practice in creating soft edges and blending techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Block in the darkest areas of the hair and background with a diluted dark tone.
step 03
Gradually build up the mid-tones on the face and clothing, paying attention to the light source.
step 04
Use soft blending techniques to create smooth transitions between values.
step 05
Add highlights to the face, hair, and clothing to create form and dimension.
step 06
Refine the details of the facial features, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Soften edges where needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to achieve a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna

Mix ivory black and raw umber for the darker tones. Use titanium white to create lighter values. Burnt sienna can be added in small amounts for subtle warmth.

techniques