plate no. 0255

Portrait of Madame E. L. Doyen

Giovanni Boldini, 1910

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitfigureportraitdressflowersfurniturebackground

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow on fabric and creating a sense of movement with brushstrokes. It also provides practice in portraiture and capturing the likeness of a subject.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with thin washes of color, focusing on the darkest and lightest areas.
step 03
Begin building up layers of color on the figure, paying attention to the way light interacts with the dress.
step 04
Use loose, expressive brushstrokes to create a sense of movement and energy in the fabric.
step 05
Refine the facial features and add details to the hair and jewelry.
step 06
Add the flowers, focusing on their color and form.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of gray and purple by combining ultramarine blue, ivory black, and titanium white. Add small amounts of alizarin crimson or yellow ochre to warm or cool the colors as needed. Use alizarin crimson and white for the pinks in the flowers.

techniques

·scumbling
·glazing
·alla prima
·broken color
·impasto

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Creating a flat, lifeless image by not paying attention to the values.
→Getting bogged down in details too early in the process.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, titanium white, ivory black, alizarin crimson, yellow ochre)
·assorted round and flat brushes
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette knife