plate no. 5055
Portrait of Flora Harwood Gibb: the artist's sister
James Taylor Harwood, 1903
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding how to create soft, atmospheric backgrounds.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and proportions of the figures and background.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the background, focusing on creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 04
Begin to develop the skin tones of the figures, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value.
- step 05
Refine the details of the clothing, hair, and facial features.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension.
- step 07
Paint the foliage in the foreground, using a variety of greens and browns.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and harmonious composition.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber · cadmium red light
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · sap green
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue or umber for shadows. Create atmospheric depth by glazing thin layers of diluted colors.
techniques
- ·portrait painting
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·soft blending
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones and losing the subtle variations in color.
- →Creating harsh lines and edges instead of soft transitions.
- →Ignoring the importance of value in creating form and depth.
- →Getting proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·painting easel
- ·mahl stick
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
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