plate no. 9917

Portrait of Anna Obolenskaya

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguredressflowerwomanclothing

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding light and shadow to create form.

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
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the red dress and the dark background.
step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns on the face and hands.
step 04
Begin refining the details of the face, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the folds and drapery of the dress, using highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 06
Add details to the flower and the lace trim.
step 07
Refine the edges and blend the colors to create a smooth, realistic effect.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · crimson red · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · raw umber · rose madder

Mix various shades of red by combining crimson with black and white for shadows and highlights. Use yellow ochre and rose madder to create the skin tones, adjusting with white and umber for highlights and shadows.

techniques

·portraiture
·blending
·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·underpainting

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
→Overworking the details and losing the overall form.
→Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in skin tone.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (crimson red, ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre, raw umber, rose madder)
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife