plate no. 7704
Portrait of a Lady (also known as Thea Proctor)
some experience helpful
This painting provides practice in capturing subtle skin tones and rendering fabric textures with visible brushstrokes. Students will also develop skills in portrait composition and creating a sense of depth with value contrast.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, neck, and shoulders.
- step 02
Establish the background with a dark, neutral tone.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, and clothing.
- step 04
Refine the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in value and hue.
- step 05
Add details to the hair, using short, directional brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and shadows to create a sense of volume.
- step 07
Add the jewelry and other accessories, paying attention to their reflective qualities.
- step 08
Refine the overall composition and add any final details.
color palette
primary · ivory black · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red light
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · sap green
Mix skin tones by blending white, red, and a touch of yellow ochre. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create dark shadows. Add a touch of green to neutralize skin tones.
techniques
- ·portrait painting
- ·alla prima
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overblending skin tones, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in value and hue.
- →Getting the proportions wrong, leading to an inaccurate likeness.
- →Using too much detail in the background, distracting from the main subject.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a canvas with a smooth texture to allow for easier blending. Consider using a medium to thin the paint and improve its flow.
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