plate no. 2835

Portrait of a Woman

oilImpressionismportraitportraitwomanclothingfigurehairbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle skin tones and practice layering brushstrokes to create texture and depth in clothing and background.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the figure, focusing on proportions and pose.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of light blue, yellow, and pink.
step 03
Establish the skin tones using a mix of white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red.
step 04
Define the hair with dark blues and blacks, adding highlights with lighter blues.
step 05
Paint the clothing, focusing on the patterns and folds, using a variety of blues, yellows, reds, and blacks.
step 06
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black · light blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Create variations in the clothing by mixing blues, yellows, reds, and blacks in different proportions.

techniques