plate no. 8660
Portrait of Maria Pia
Antonio Donghi, 1929
suitable for beginners
Recreating this painting will help students practice smooth blending techniques and learn to capture subtle variations in skin tones. It also provides a good exercise in simplifying forms and focusing on essential details.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, shoulders, and dress.
- step 02
Block in the background with a thin, even layer of neutral color.
- step 03
Establish the main skin tones, focusing on the overall value and temperature.
- step 04
Begin blending the skin tones, paying attention to subtle shifts in color and value.
- step 05
Paint the hair, simplifying the forms and using a limited range of dark browns.
- step 06
Add the dress, focusing on the subtle highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume.
- step 07
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna
Mix skin tones by blending white, raw umber, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and white for the dress, adding a touch of yellow ochre for warmth. The background is a mix of raw umber and white.
techniques
- ·smooth blending
- ·color mixing
- ·value control
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to simplify the forms and getting bogged down in unnecessary details.
- →Using too much paint and losing the subtle variations in color and value.
- →Not paying close enough attention to the proportions of the face.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A smooth canvas surface will help with blending.
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