plate no. 7930
Portrait of a woman
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric folds. It also provides practice in creating a soft, atmospheric background.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the head, shoulders, and dress, paying attention to proportions.
- step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of yellow and brown tones.
- step 03
Establish the main values of the face, using light and shadow to define the features.
- step 04
Begin layering the colors of the dress, focusing on the highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume.
- step 05
Add details to the hair and crown, using small brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Refine the features of the face, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 07
Add the lace details and foliage around the dress.
- step 08
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a harmonious composition.
color palette
primary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · titanium white · alizarin crimson
secondary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · ivory black
Mix various shades of skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use ultramarine blue and raw umber to create cooler shadows.
techniques
- ·portrait drawing
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brush texture
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong
- →Overworking the details
- →Creating muddy colors
- →Ignoring the importance of light and shadow
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·alizarin crimson oil paint
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a canvas with a smooth surface for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the overall color palette.
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