plate no. 1600

Portrait of Mrs. Barbara Baker Murphy

oil, canvasNaïve Art (Primitivism)portraitportraitwomandresslacejewelryfigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in portrait proportions, color mixing for skin tones, and rendering fabric textures. Students will also learn about creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the oval frame and the basic proportions of the head, shoulders, and torso.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark, muted green-black color.
step 03
Establish the main skin tones using a limited palette of white, yellow ochre, and burnt umber.
step 04
Begin building up the form of the face, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Paint the dress using a mix of blues and grays, capturing the subtle folds and drapery.
step 06
Add the details of the lace collar and bonnet, using thin washes of white and gray.
step 07
Paint the necklace and other jewelry, adding highlights to create a sense of realism.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · cadmium yellow light

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. The dress color is created by mixing ultramarine blue, white, and a small amount of black or burnt umber. Use glazes to create depth.

techniques

·portrait proportions
·color mixing for skin tones
·glazing
·rendering fabric
·blending

common pitfalls

→Incorrectly proportioning the face
→Over-blending the skin tones
→Failing to capture the subtle value changes in the dress
→Getting the lace details muddy
→Ignoring the importance of highlights and shadows

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints (titanium white, ivory black, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, burnt umber)
·round brushes (sizes 0, 2, 4)
·flat brushes (sizes 4, 6)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·palette
·palette knife