plate no. 1782

Portrait of Dr. Phil. Brewer Carl Jacobsen with his youngest daughter

Peder Severin Kroyer, 1908

oil, canvasRealismportraitportraitfiguresinteriorbustdressdoor

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as practice in depicting fabric and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of figures and objects.
step 02
Establish the background with thin washes of color, paying attention to the warm and cool tones.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures, focusing on accurate proportions and basic values.
step 04
Begin layering colors to define the skin tones, using subtle variations in hue and value.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 06
Refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness of the subjects.
step 07
Add details to the background elements, such as the bust and the door.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · raw umber · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson

Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue or umber for shadows. Achieve the light blue of the dress by mixing white with ultramarine blue and a touch of green.

techniques