plate no. 3108

Portrait of Constance

Sarah Purser, 1908

oilImpressionismportraitportraitfigurecatdressfoliageflowers

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice portraiture, including skin tones and facial features, as well as rendering soft fabrics and animal fur. It also provides an opportunity to study composition and color harmony in a muted palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, cat, and background.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with a thin wash of color.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Develop the details of the dress, lace, and shawl, focusing on the folds and drapery.
step 05
Paint the cat, building up the fur with short, overlapping strokes.
step 06
Refine the background, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add the details of the flowers in the lower left corner.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color harmony.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · alizarin crimson · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Create the blue dress by mixing ultramarine blue with white and a touch of burnt umber to mute the color. The cat's fur is a blend of burnt umber, raw sienna, and touches of alizarin crimson.

techniques