plate no. 9951

Portrait of E Temkina

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguredresslandscapejewelryshawl

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as blending techniques for skin tones and drapery.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 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 with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin layering skin tones, focusing on subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Paint the dress and shawl, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
step 05
Add details to the hair, jewelry, and background.
step 06
Refine the facial features, focusing on the eyes and mouth.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and contrast.
step 08
Add final highlights and details.

color palette

primary · titanium white · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · ivory black · viridian

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and blue. Achieve the blue of the sash by mixing ultramarine with white. Use burnt umber and black for shadows.

techniques

·blending
·layering
·glazing
·scumbling
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions wrong.
→Overworking the skin tones.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Making the colors too saturated.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints: titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, ivory black
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette
·palette knife