plate no. 2348

Portrait of an old woman

oilRealismportraitportraitold womanfigureclothinghandshead covering

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing the likeness and expression of an older person, and in creating subtle gradations of skin tone.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure, paying attention to proportions and placement on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of dark brown, establishing the overall value.
step 03
Begin layering the skin tones, starting with the darker areas and gradually adding highlights.
step 04
Pay close attention to the subtle variations in color and value on the face to create a realistic effect.
step 05
Paint the clothing and head covering, using darker tones and simplified brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Add highlights to the hands and clothing to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and value contrast.

color palette

primary · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · ivory black · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of skin tone by combining yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and titanium white. Use raw umber and ivory black to create the darker tones in the background and clothing. Add a touch of cadmium red light to warm up the skin tones.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·blending
·value studies

common pitfalls

→Overmixing the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in skin tone.
→Ignoring the importance of accurate proportions.
→Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and unnatural look.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (raw umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, burnt sienna, ivory black, cadmium red light)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags