plate no. 6445

Portrait of Emily Vanderbilt Binney

oilRealismportraitportraitfigurewomandressflowerprofile

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as practicing soft blending techniques to create a sense of atmosphere.

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, focusing on the head and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a thin wash of dark brown or black.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the dress with a light, neutral tone.
step 04
Begin layering skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add the flower, focusing on its shape and color.
step 07
Develop the folds and highlights in the dress, using soft blending techniques.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Skin tones can be achieved by mixing white, raw umber, burnt sienna, and a touch of alizarin crimson. The dress is primarily white with subtle variations of yellow ochre and raw umber.

techniques