plate no. 5852

Portrait of Lucy Langdon Williams Wilson

Thomas Eakins, 1908

oil, canvasRealismportraitportraitfigurewomanclothingglassesface

some experience helpful

This painting is a good exercise in portraiture, focusing on subtle value changes to model form and capturing likeness. Students will also learn to create a sense of depth using a limited color palette and soft edges.

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 and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the shadows and mid-tones.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the buttons and folds.
step 06
Soften edges and blend transitions to create a sense of realism.
step 07
Add highlights to the face and clothing to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to achieve a likeness.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of skin tones by combining white, yellow ochre, and small amounts of red and umber. Use ultramarine blue to cool down shadows and create subtle variations in the background.

techniques

·grisaille underpainting
·scumbling
·blending
·value study
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early
→Getting the proportions wrong
→Using too much color
→Ignoring the value structure

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas
·Oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red light, ultramarine blue)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags