plate no. 2813

Portrait of Ruth Edwards

oil, canvasRealismportraitportraitfigurewomanclothingjewelryhair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering subtle variations in skin tone. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and details like jewelry.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure's proportions and pose on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin, hair, clothing, and background.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Develop the details of the hair, using thin layers of paint to create texture.
step 05
Work on the clothing, focusing on the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 06
Add the details of the jewelry, using small brushes to capture the intricate designs.
step 07
Refine the background, ensuring it complements the figure without distracting from it.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall realism of the portrait.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow light · alizarin crimson

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, raw umber, burnt sienna, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use yellow ochre and cadmium yellow light for the gold jewelry. Darken colors with ivory black.

techniques

·portrait sketching
·glazing
·blending
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in skin tone.
→Overworking details, leading to a stiff or unnatural appearance.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (titanium white, raw umber, burnt sienna, ivory black, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson)
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Soft cloths