plate no. 6386

Portrait of Mrs. Sándor Ernst

Karoly Ferenczy, 1916

oilImpressionismportraitportraitfiguredresschairhairprofile

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones and fabrics, and creating depth through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness and conveying a sense of mood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark, neutral tone.
step 03
Establish the main skin tones using a limited palette, focusing on value relationships.
step 04
Paint the dress with broad strokes, capturing the folds and shadows.
step 05
Add details to the hair, paying attention to the highlights and lowlights.
step 06
Refine the facial features, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Add details to the chair and any other elements in the composition.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and harmonious painting.

color palette

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

secondary · alizarin crimson · raw sienna

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Achieve the blue of the dress by mixing ultramarine blue with white and a touch of burnt umber to darken it.

techniques