plate no. 5775
Portrait of a Young Girl, standing, three quarter length, holding a sea shell and rosary
Émile Auguste Hublin, 1872
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber.
- step 03
Block in the main color areas: skin, clothing, background.
- step 04
Refine the skin tones, paying attention to subtle shifts in color and value.
- step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, rosary, and shell.
- step 06
Work on the background, creating a sense of depth and texture.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create contrast.
- step 08
Refine the details and make any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre
Mix skin tones using white, sienna, umber, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine and burnt umber to create dark shadows. Yellow ochre and white can create highlights.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·portraiture
- ·underpainting
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in color and value.
- →Getting lost in details too early in the process.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a toned ground to simplify the underpainting process.
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