plate no. 4000

Portrait of the daughter Irene

oilRealismportraitfigureportraitdressbackgroundornamenthair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict fabric and drapery with subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of neutral tones.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the dress, hair, and skin.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the folds and shadows in the dress, using a variety of brushstrokes.
step 06
Add details to the background, such as the patterns and textures.
step 07
Glaze and scumble to adjust values and colors, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · ivory black · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of white with small amounts of raw umber and yellow ochre to create the subtle tones in the dress and skin. Use burnt sienna and ivory black to create shadows and darker areas.

techniques