plate no. 7577
Portrait of Mabel Beardsley
Jacques-Émile Blanche, 1895
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and mood with a limited palette and loose brushwork. It also provides practice in creating depth and atmosphere through subtle value shifts.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head and shoulders.
- 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, starting with the background and then moving to the figure's dress and skin.
- step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the placement and shape of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension, using a slightly lighter or darker version of the base color.
- step 06
Develop the texture of the dress and background with loose, expressive brushstrokes.
- step 07
Soften edges and blend colors as needed to create a sense of atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values to achieve the desired effect.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white
secondary · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, sienna, and a touch of crimson. Darken colors with burnt umber and lighten with white. Use yellow ochre to warm up the overall palette.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·limited palette
- ·tonal painting
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality of the original.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
- →Ignoring the importance of value in creating form and depth.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, alizarin crimson, yellow ochre)
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
Use a medium-grit canvas for better texture. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the painting process.
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