plate no. 2175
Portrait of a Girl
George Demetrescu Mirea, 1882
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 use a limited palette to create depth and form.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the girl, paying attention to the placement of the head, shoulders, and main features.
- step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark brown, gradually building up the darker areas.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the face, using a mix of warm and cool skin tones.
- step 04
Refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the subtle variations in light and shadow.
- step 05
Paint the clothing, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
- step 06
Add the jewelry, using small, precise brushstrokes to capture the details.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting the values and colors as needed.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red
secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, and umber with small amounts of yellow ochre. Use ivory black sparingly to darken values.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·value studies
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using too much color and losing the overall harmony.
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
Use a smooth canvas for best results. Consider toning the canvas with a thin wash of burnt umber before starting.
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