plate no. 8206
Portrait of a Woman
Thomas Eakins, 1900
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones. It also provides practice in creating depth and form using subtle value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head and shoulders.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the skin tones and clothing.
- step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow.
- step 05
Add details to the hair and clothing, using smaller brushes.
- step 06
Adjust the values and colors as needed to create a sense of depth and realism.
- step 07
Add the final details, such as the brooch and any highlights.
- step 08
Glaze with transparent colors to unify the painting.
color palette
primary · ivory black · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue
Mix skin tones by combining yellow ochre, burnt umber, alizarin crimson, and titanium white. Use ivory black and burnt umber to create dark shadows. Add ultramarine blue to darken colors without making them muddy.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·value studies
- ·blending
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness.
- →Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
- →Not paying enough attention to the light and shadow.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints (ivory black, burnt umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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