plate no. 0311

Portrait of Mary Fraser Tytler, afterwards Mary Seton Watts

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguredressred backgroundhair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will allow students to practice portrait proportions, color mixing for skin tones, and creating soft transitions between values. It also provides an opportunity to study the effect of light and shadow on form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions of the head and shoulders, paying attention to the angle of the head.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of red and brown.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the face and hair with light and shadow.
step 04
Begin refining the skin tones by layering subtle color variations.
step 05
Define the features of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add details to the hair and clothing, paying attention to the way light interacts with the forms.
step 07
Soften edges and blend colors to create a smooth, realistic effect.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create dark shadows. Use red and burnt umber for the background.

techniques