plate no. 8354
Portrait of Madame Petitjean
Émile Friant, 1883
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding how to create depth and atmosphere through subtle color variations.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of the surrounding objects.
- step 02
Establish the main value ranges, blocking in the darks of the dress and the lighter areas of the face and background.
- step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, using thin layers of paint to build up subtle variations in color and value.
- step 04
Develop the details of the face, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 05
Work on the background, suggesting the paintings and the chair with loose brushstrokes.
- step 06
Add details to the still life elements, such as the vase and the table.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue
Achieve skin tones by mixing white with small amounts of burnt sienna, yellow ochre, and alizarin crimson. Use ivory black mixed with raw umber to create the dark tones of the dress.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
- →Neglecting the background, causing it to appear disconnected from the figure.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
- →Using too much paint, resulting in a muddy or overworked appearance.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 16x20
- ·Oil paints: ivory black, raw umber, burnt sienna, titanium white, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Rags
optional
- ·Medium gloss
- ·Retouch varnish
- ·Easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Prepare the canvas with gesso before painting.
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