plate no. 5318

Portrait of a Woman

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)portraitportraitwomanfigurehairflowerdress

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in rendering soft skin tones and delicate fabric. Students can learn to create subtle gradations and capture the texture of hair.

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 and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash.
step 03
Block in the main areas of skin tone, hair, and fabric with broad strokes.
step 04
Refine the skin tones by layering and blending colors, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Add details to the hair, creating texture with small brushstrokes.
step 06
Develop the fabric, capturing its transparency and folds.
step 07
Paint the flower and hand, focusing on their delicate details.
step 08
Add final touches and adjustments to the overall composition.

color palette

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

secondary · raw umber · alizarin crimson · viridian

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red; use cerulean blue and white for the fabric, adding touches of green for variation; create hair color with yellow ochre, raw umber, and a hint of red.

techniques