plate no. 7618
Portrait of Tyra Hasselblatt
Magnus Enckell, 1910
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations and layering brushstrokes to build form and texture. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness and creating a harmonious color scheme.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, book, and background.
- step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the background, figure, and foreground.
- step 03
Begin layering colors within each area, focusing on subtle shifts in hue and value.
- step 04
Develop the details of the face, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 05
Add details to the flowers and book, using short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed.
- step 07
Add final details and highlights.
- step 08
Let dry and varnish (optional).
color palette
primary · titanium white · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue
secondary · viridian · yellow ochre · raw umber
Achieve the subtle skin tones by mixing white, yellow, and a touch of red and blue. Create the background colors by blending the primary colors with white and yellow ochre. Use viridian and ultramarine blue for the cooler tones in the shadows and flowers.
techniques
- ·color layering
- ·broken brushstrokes
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors and creating muddy tones.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin.
- →Losing the overall composition by focusing too much on details.
- →Applying paint too thickly.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium yellow oil paint
- ·alizarin crimson oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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