plate no. 3190

Portrait of a Girl in Black

oil, canvasNew Realismportraitportraitgirlfigureblack dressdark backgroundfabric

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice portraiture, focusing on capturing likeness and using subtle value changes to create form. Students can also learn about limited color palettes and expressive brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the girl's figure and features using light pencil lines.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin, dark wash of color, leaving the figure's area untouched.
step 03
Block in the large areas of color: the black dress, skin tones, and blue fabric.
step 04
Begin to refine the skin tones, paying attention to subtle value changes and highlights on the face and hands.
step 05
Add details to the dress, including the white collar and any folds or wrinkles.
step 06
Work on the blue fabric, creating a sense of depth and texture through layering and blending.
step 07
Refine the facial features, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth to capture the girl's likeness.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to the entire painting, ensuring a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light

Mix blacks and browns to create the dark background and dress. Use white and small amounts of red and umber to create skin tones. Mix blue with white to create lighter shades of the fabric.

techniques

·blocking in
·blending
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·layering

common pitfalls

→Over-blending, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
→Incorrect proportions, leading to an inaccurate likeness.
→Using too much detail too early, before establishing the basic shapes and values.
→Ignoring subtle value changes in the skin tones, resulting in a mask-like appearance.