plate no. 6154

Portrait of a young lady

John Quincy Adams, 1908

oil, canvasRealismportraitportraitfiguredressshawlinteriorpainting

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating depth through subtle value changes and soft edges.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, loose strokes, focusing on the overall color and value.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the dress and shawl, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, using subtle color variations to create form.
step 05
Add details to the dress and shawl, such as highlights and shadows, to create a sense of depth and texture.
step 06
Work on the background details, including the painting and furniture, to add context and interest.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and edges as needed to create a cohesive image.
step 08
Add final touches, such as highlights in the eyes and details in the jewelry.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson

Use ivory black and ultramarine blue to create the dark tones of the dress. Mix titanium white with small amounts of yellow ochre and alizarin crimson for the skin tones. Create the shawl's color by mixing ultramarine blue and titanium white.

techniques