plate no. 2140

Portrait of Rachel Dunn

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitwomanhatscarffigureclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and capturing subtle light and shadow variations. 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. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, hat, and scarf.
step 02
Establish the background with light, muted tones.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, clothing, and hat, focusing on value.
step 04
Refine the skin tones by layering and blending colors, paying attention to subtle shifts in hue and value.
step 05
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 06
Develop the hat and scarf, using visible brushstrokes to create texture and form.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the figure.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, raw umber, burnt sienna, and a touch of red and blue. Use yellow ochre and white for highlights. Mix black and white for grays in the scarf and hat.

techniques