plate no. 2276

Portrait of Lizzy Ansingh

Thérèse Schwartze, 1909

oilImpressionismportraitportraitfiguredresswomanhairhands

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and creating depth through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in loose, expressive brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hands.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color, such as the skin tones, dress, and background.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the light and shadow on the face.
step 05
Add details to the dress, using loose brushstrokes to suggest texture and form.
step 06
Develop the background, using a limited palette to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create dimension and volume.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · alizarin crimson

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna

Mix various shades of pink by combining alizarin crimson and titanium white. Use burnt umber and yellow ochre to create warm browns for the background and shadows.

techniques