plate no. 2316

Portrait of a Supermodel

oil, canvasNew Realismportraitportraitfigurehatmakeupscarfface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and capturing the likeness of a subject. It also provides practice in rendering fabric and textures with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, hat, and shoulders.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of color, establishing the overall tone.
step 03
Begin layering in the skin tones, starting with the mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 04
Paint the hat, paying attention to the subtle color variations and the way light reflects off its surface.
step 05
Render the scarf, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture and depth.
step 06
Add the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying close attention to the proportions and placement.
step 07
Refine the details and add any final touches, such as highlights and shadows.
step 08
Allow the painting to dry completely and then apply a varnish to protect the surface.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · viridian green · alizarin crimson · cadmium yellow

Mix skin tones by combining yellow ochre, titanium white, and small amounts of cadmium red and burnt umber. Use ultramarine blue and viridian green to create the cooler tones in the scarf and background. Add alizarin crimson to cadmium red for the lip color.

techniques

·alla prima
·color mixing
·portraiture
·scumbling
·broken color

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the face
→Muddy skin tones
→Overblending
→Ignoring the subtle color variations

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes
·linseed oil
·turpentine

optional

·painting medium
·easel
·rags
·varnish

Use a medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) and high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to improve the flow and blending of the paints.

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