Portrait of Elena Botta

approach — 8 steps

color palette

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

secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of alizarin crimson. The dark clothing uses ivory black lightened with white and hints of umber. The shawl incorporates reds, blues, and yellows muted with umber.

techniques

• ·portraiture
• ·glazing
• ·scumbling
• ·blending
• ·value studies

common pitfalls

• →Getting the proportions wrong, especially the facial features.
• →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a muddy appearance.
• →Failing to capture the subtle nuances of light and shadow.
• →Ignoring the details of the clothing and accessories.