plate no. 3105

Portrait of the daughter

Ivan Tvorozhnikov, 1889

oil, canvasRealismportraitportraitfiguregirlbonnetleavesfoliage

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow using a thin wash of color.
step 03
Block in the local colors of the skin, bonnet, clothing, and foliage.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the folds and highlights in the clothing and bonnet.
step 06
Add details to the background foliage, varying the color and texture of the leaves.
step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and value contrast.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson · viridian

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and alizarin crimson, adding small amounts of blue or umber to adjust the temperature. Achieve the green foliage by mixing viridian with yellow ochre and white, and use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the dark background.

techniques

·portraiture
·alla prima
·broken color
·scumbling
·impasto

common pitfalls

→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Neglecting the importance of accurate proportions in the initial sketch.
→Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the skin tones.
→Getting lost in details before establishing the overall composition and value structure.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 12x16
·oil paints (titanium white, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, viridian, ultramarine blue, burnt umber)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags