plate no. 7547

Portrait of a Woman

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitwomandresshairfacefigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle value transitions, and capturing a likeness. It also provides practice in rendering fabric and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective.

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 head, shoulders, and background.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas on the face and dress using a thin wash of burnt umber.
step 03
Begin layering in the skin tones, starting with the mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 04
Mix and apply the colors for the hair, paying attention to the direction of the strands and the subtle variations in tone.
step 05
Paint the dress, focusing on the folds and drapery and how they catch the light.
step 06
Add the background, blending the colors smoothly to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, to capture the likeness of the subject.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a harmonious and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · cadmium red light

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black · raw sienna

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red, with small amounts of umber and blue for shadows. The background is a blend of umber, black, and a touch of green.

techniques

·portraiture
·blending
·glazing
·value studies
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the face and body.
→Overly harsh or muddy skin tones.
→Lack of attention to the subtle variations in value and color.
→Difficulty capturing the likeness of the subject.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints (titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, cadmium red light, ultramarine blue, ivory black, raw sienna)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·rags