plate no. 3589
Portrait of Ellen Von Kohl
Gerda Wegener, 1906
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering subtle tonal variations in skin and fabric. It also provides practice in creating a soft, atmospheric background.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure.
- step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of muted greens and blues, suggesting the foliage.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, paying attention to the overall value structure.
- step 04
Begin refining the skin tones, using subtle layers of color and blending to create smooth transitions.
- step 05
Develop the details of the dress, including the lace and fabric folds.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness and expression.
- step 08
Add final details, such as jewelry and subtle textures.
color palette
primary · ivory black · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · sap green · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna
Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, white, and a touch of red or brown. Mute the colors by adding small amounts of complementary colors.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
- ·tonal painting
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Creating harsh lines or edges.
- →Failing to capture the subtle tonal variations in the skin.
- →Making the background too distracting.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a smooth canvas for easier blending. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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