plate no. 8329

Portrait of a Lady Holding a Rose

Thomas Dewing, 1912

oilTonalismgenre paintingfigureportraitdresstablewall hanginginterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in subtle color mixing, creating soft edges, and capturing the mood of tonalism. It's a good exercise in painting a portrait with a limited palette and focusing on atmospheric effects.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the main shapes.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of muted browns and grays.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the dress, table, and figure, using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin to refine the shapes and values of the figure, paying attention to the subtle transitions of light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the face, hands, and dress, using small brushes and delicate brushstrokes.
step 06
Paint the wall hanging, simplifying the details and focusing on the overall color and tone.
step 07
Soften edges and blend colors to create a hazy, atmospheric effect.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create depth.

color palette

primary · viridian green · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre

Mix greens by blending viridian with raw umber and white. Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Mute colors by adding a small amount of the complementary color.

techniques