plate no. 7237

Portrait of a Woman in Blue

Albert Lynch, 1912

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)portraitportraitwomandressflowerhairshawl

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as practicing soft blending techniques to create a dreamy, ethereal effect. Students will also learn to depict fabric and subtle light variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the woman's head, shoulders, and dress.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin, even wash.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, hair, dress, and flower.
step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create smooth transitions in the skin and fabric.
step 05
Add subtle highlights and shadows to define the forms and create depth.
step 06
Refine the details of the face, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Add the details of the dress, flower, and shawl, including the delicate fabric folds and textures.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors, values, and details to achieve a harmonious and realistic portrait.

color palette

primary · titanium white · cerulean blue · raw umber · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black · alizarin crimson · sap green

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Achieve the blue of the dress by mixing cerulean blue with white and a hint of green. Create the background with raw umber and white, adjusting the value with small amounts of black or yellow.

techniques