plate no. 0536

Portrait of Christine Baroness Fries-Tersch

John Quincy Adams, 1929

oil, canvasRealismportraitportraitfiguredresswomanfacehair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric folds. It also provides practice in creating subtle value gradations to model form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, paying attention to proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main shapes of the figure and background with thin washes of color.
step 03
Establish the darkest and lightest values to create a sense of depth.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle value changes.
step 05
Develop the folds and drapery of the dress, using directional brushstrokes to suggest form.
step 06
Add details to the hair and jewelry.
step 07
Soften edges and blend transitions to create a smooth, realistic effect.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · payne's gray · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of gray by combining ivory black and titanium white. Add small amounts of raw umber or yellow ochre to warm up the grays as needed. Use payne's gray for the darkest shadows.

techniques