plate no. 1414

Portrait of Camille Majorelle

oilRealismportraitportraitfigureclothinghatwomanbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict fabric and drapery with subtle shading.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the overall composition, paying attention to proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of neutral colors.
step 03
Establish the basic shapes and values of the figure's clothing, focusing on the folds and drapery.
step 04
Begin layering in the skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 05
Refine the features of the face, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add details to the clothing, such as the fur collar and hat.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining black, umber, and white. Achieve skin tones by blending white, sienna, crimson, and a touch of yellow ochre. Use ultramarine blue to cool down the blacks.

techniques