plate no. 9673

Portrait of Mrs William Harrison

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitportraitfigurewomandressbowclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and capturing the texture of fabric with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in creating form using subtle value changes.

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, focusing on the head, shoulders, and the position of the hands.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of light blue-gray paint.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face and clothing using a limited palette of skin tones and whites.
step 04
Begin building up the color and texture of the skin, using small, broken brushstrokes to create a sense of form.
step 05
Paint the dress, paying attention to the direction of the brushstrokes to suggest the folds and contours of the fabric.
step 06
Add the dark bow at the neck and waist, using a mix of black and brown to create depth and shadow.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes and subtle color variations.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to the entire painting to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · ivory black

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · alizarin crimson

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create a neutral gray for shadows and the background.

techniques