plate no. 1340

Portrait of Mrs Atkinson

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigurewomaninteriorwallfireplace

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing subtle skin tones and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth through layering and color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the main elements of the background.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by applying a thin wash of warm tones to the background.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, paying attention to proportions and pose.
step 04
Begin layering the skin tones, using subtle variations of color to create depth and form.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, focusing on the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 06
Refine the background, adding details such as the wallpaper pattern and the objects on the mantelpiece.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · ivory black · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red light · titanium white

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, raw umber, and a touch of cadmium red light, then lighten with titanium white. Create the wallpaper color by mixing burnt sienna, yellow ochre and white.

techniques