plate no. 9801

Portrait of a Lady in Black

George Henry, 1919

oilImpressionismportraitportraitfiguredresshairjewelryclothing

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 depict fabric and textures with subtle color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and torso.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of browns and grays.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, and clothing, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 04
Refine the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and subtle variations in skin tone.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the lace, beads, and folds of fabric.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the edges and details throughout the painting, ensuring a cohesive and harmonious composition.
step 08
Add final details like the jewelry and subtle highlights in the hair.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ivory black · ultramarine blue · viridian

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, and small amounts of yellow and brown. Use ultramarine and burnt umber to create a range of blacks and grays for the clothing and background.

techniques