plate no. 5438

Portrait of Dorothy Turner Née Gallimore

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguredresslandscapehairsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric. It also provides practice in creating atmospheric perspective in the background landscape.

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 and background.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas on the face and dress.
step 03
Block in the background landscape with broad strokes, focusing on atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Develop the details of the face, paying attention to subtle value changes.
step 05
Refine the folds and textures of the dress, using highlights and shadows.
step 06
Add details to the hair, creating a sense of volume and texture.
step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and contrast to create a cohesive image.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · cadmium yellow

Mix various shades of white with small amounts of yellow ochre, raw umber, and black to create the subtle tones of the skin and dress. Use ultramarine blue and alizarin crimson to create the blue sash.

techniques

·portrait painting
·blending
·glazing
·atmospheric perspective
·rendering fabric

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early
→Incorrect proportions of the face
→Flat or lifeless skin tones
→Ignoring atmospheric perspective in the background

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 16x20
·Oil paints (titanium white, ivory black, yellow ochre, raw umber, ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson, cadmium yellow)
·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·Flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife