Portrait of a Lady

approach — 8 steps

color palette

primary · burnt umber · ivory black · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna

Mix burnt umber and ivory black to create the dark background. Use titanium white to lighten the skin tones and create highlights. Mix cadmium red with burnt umber to achieve the color of the dress. Yellow ochre and raw sienna can be used to add warmth to the skin tones.

techniques

• ·chiaroscuro
• ·glazing
• ·dry brushing
• ·scumbling
• ·blending

common pitfalls

• →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of form.
• →Creating harsh lines and edges instead of soft transitions.
• →Using too much color and losing the subtle tonal variations.
• →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.