plate no. 7011

Portrait of Ingeborg Skjønne from Numedal

oil, canvas, fiberboardRomanticismportraitportraitwomanclothingheadscarftraditional dressfigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as layering and blending to create depth and form.

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 head, shoulders, and clothing using a light pencil.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the background and major areas of light and shadow with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the placement and proportions of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 04
Develop the skin tones by layering and blending different shades of flesh tones, using subtle variations in color to create a sense of depth and form.
step 05
Paint the clothing and headscarf, focusing on capturing the textures and patterns of the fabric.
step 06
Add details such as the jewelry and floral embellishments, using small brushes and precise strokes.
step 07
Refine the overall composition by adjusting the values and colors as needed, and adding any final details.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and create a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · viridian · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and beige for the skin tones, using small amounts of red, yellow, and green to create subtle variations. Use a limited palette and mix colors on the canvas to achieve a harmonious effect.

techniques

·portraiture
·layering
·blending
·glazing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors that are too saturated or intense.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in skin tone.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, cadmium red, viridian, yellow ochre, ivory black)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat, various sizes)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags or paper towels