plate no. 2285

Portrait of Mrs Emily Montgomery-Lang

Jacques-Émile Blanche, 1911

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismportraitportraitwomandresschairinteriorfurniture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through color and brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the main shapes and proportions of the figure and background elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin to refine the shapes and details of the face, paying attention to the subtle variations in skin tone.
step 04
Develop the drapery of the dress, using highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and texture.
step 05
Add details to the background elements, such as the furniture and screen.
step 06
Refine the details of the hands and jewelry.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to create a cohesive and harmonious composition.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · alizarin crimson · ivory black

Achieve the dress's color by mixing ultramarine blue and burnt umber, then adding white for highlights. Use alizarin crimson and burnt umber for the red fabrics. Mix yellow ochre and white for skin tones.

techniques