plate no. 0657

Portrait of Geradine Marguerite Van Hardenbroek

Thérèse Schwartze, 1903

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguregirldresshairbow

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering soft, diffused lighting. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and hair textures with loose brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and main features.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash, paying attention to the subtle variations in tone.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face, using light and shadow to define the planes.
step 04
Begin building up the hair, using loose, expressive brushstrokes to suggest the curls and texture.
step 05
Paint the dress, focusing on the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 06
Add the details of the bow and other accessories.
step 07
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes and mouth.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and lighting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of skin tones using white, umber, red, and a touch of yellow ochre. Create the pink hues for the bow and sash by mixing white with a small amount of red.

techniques

·portraiture
·alla prima
·scumbling
·blending
·rendering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and unnatural appearance.
→Failing to capture the correct proportions of the face.
→Using colors that are too saturated or intense.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in tone and value.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, burnt umber, cadmium red light, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife