plate no. 1581

Portrait of Katharine Rhoades

Arthur Beecher Carles, 1912

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigurewomanchairclothingface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle skin tones and practice loose, expressive brushwork to capture form and light.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of diluted paint.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face, neck, and clothing using simplified color blocks.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color and value.
step 05
Develop the details of the hair and clothing, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Add the dark accents of the chair and any remaining details.
step 07
Soften edges and blend colors where needed to create a cohesive image.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium red light · viridian green

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and blue. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the dark tones of the chair.

techniques