plate no. 1666

Portrait of Natalia Petrunkevich

oilRealismportraitfigurewindowgardenbookportraittrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing subtle facial features and creating depth using atmospheric perspective in the background. It also provides practice in rendering fabric and textures with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the figure, the window frame, and the basic layout of the garden scene.
step 02
Establish the darkest and lightest values to create a tonal map.
step 03
Begin blocking in the background garden scene with loose, impressionistic brushstrokes, focusing on color variations.
step 04
Paint the figure, paying attention to the subtle shifts in light and shadow on the face and clothing.
step 05
Refine the details of the window frame, adding texture and highlights.
step 06
Develop the details of the book, focusing on its form and the light catching its edges.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the depth and realism of the painting.
step 08
Glaze or scumble to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · sap green · cerulean blue · alizarin crimson

Achieve the dark tones by mixing ivory black and raw umber. Create the skin tones by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use cerulean blue and sap green to create the foliage.

techniques