plate no. 3105
Portrait of the daughter
Ivan Tvorozhnikov, 1889
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing likeness and subtle color variations in skin tones, as well as rendering fabric and foliage with visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 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
optional
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium can be added to the paint to improve flow and drying time.
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