plate no. 7129

Portrait of Baroness Dita Berg

John Quincy Adams, 1929

oil, canvasRealismportraitfigureportraitdresshairseatedbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and creating subtle tonal variations to model form. It also offers practice in depicting fabric and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and proportions of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main areas of value: the background, the figure's skin, the dress, and the hair.
step 03
Refine the shapes and contours of the figure, paying close attention to the angles and curves of the face and body.
step 04
Start building up the tonal values in the face, using subtle gradations to create form and depth.
step 05
Work on the dress, capturing the folds and highlights with loose, expressive brushstrokes.
step 06
Develop the background, using soft, blended strokes to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 07
Add details to the hair and facial features, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and edges to create a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber

Use ivory black and titanium white to create a range of grays. Add small amounts of raw umber and yellow ochre to warm up the skin tones. Use burnt umber to deepen the shadows in the dress.

techniques