plate no. 3988

Portrait Of Lady Dressed In Black

oil, canvasAcademicismportraitportraitfiguredresschairred background

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones. Students can also develop skills in painting drapery and creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: the red background, the black dress, and the skin tones.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows to create form.
step 04
Develop the details of the dress, focusing on the folds and highlights to give it volume.
step 05
Work on the background, adding subtle variations in color to create depth.
step 06
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the jewelry and any other small elements.
step 08
Glaze to unify the painting and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · ivory black · cadmium red · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Achieve the black of the dress by mixing ivory black with a touch of burnt umber. Vary the red background by adding small amounts of burnt umber or yellow ochre.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·blending
·value studies
·drapery

common pitfalls

→Overmixing skin tones, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in color within the background.
→Getting the proportions of the face wrong, leading to an inaccurate likeness.
→Failing to create a sense of depth in the dress, making it appear flat.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, cadmium red, titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, raw sienna)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags