plate no. 5937
Portrait of a woman
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones. It will also provide practice in layering and blending oil paints to create subtle gradations of color and value.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and facial features.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color, such as the skin tones, hair, clothing, and background.
- step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to refine the forms and create smooth transitions.
- step 05
Pay close attention to the subtle variations in skin tone, especially around the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Refine the details of the facial features, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 08
Add final touches and adjustments to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue
secondary · cadmium red · ivory black
Skin tones are achieved by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of cadmium red. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create cooler shadows.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the paint and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to capture the correct proportions and likeness.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in skin tone.
- →Using too much or too little medium.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·oil paints (titanium white, burnt umber, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, cadmium red, ivory black)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer of paint to dry before applying the next.
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