plate no. 6706

Portrait of Julia Foster Ward

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguredressflowershairfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering skin tones, as well as practice creating subtle color variations and soft blending techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions of the figure, focusing on accurate placement and size relationships.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of blended greens and browns.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the dress and hair, using light and dark values to define form.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 05
Add details to the dress, including the floral patterns and the folds of the fabric.
step 06
Paint the flowers in the hair, using delicate brushstrokes and a limited color palette.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed to create a sense of harmony.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · viridian green · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, titanium white, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Create the background greens by blending viridian green, yellow ochre, and raw umber.

techniques