plate no. 2576

Portrait of Young Girl

Georgios Jakobides, 1902

oilRealismportraitfigureportraitchairdresshatbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through subtle color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes: the figure, chair, and hat.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, blended strokes of warm browns and earth tones.
step 03
Block in the main values of the figure, focusing on the light and shadow patterns on the dress and face.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to proportions and subtle details.
step 05
Develop the textures of the dress, using layering and scumbling techniques.
step 06
Add details to the chair and hat, capturing their forms and textures.
step 07
Glaze over areas to unify the painting and adjust color temperatures.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to enhance the realism and depth.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · raw sienna

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Achieve the off-white of the dress by mixing titanium white with small amounts of raw sienna and burnt umber. Create the skin tones by blending titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber.

techniques