Portrait of Zofia Dzieduszycka

approach — 8 steps

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix blacks and browns with small amounts of red and yellow to create warmth and avoid a flat, lifeless appearance. Use white sparingly to create highlights and subtle value changes.

techniques

• ·portraiture
• ·glazing
• ·dry brushing
• ·value studies
• ·blending

common pitfalls

• →Overworking the details too early in the process.
• →Using too much white, which can make the painting look chalky.
• →Failing to capture the subtle value changes in the face.
• →Ignoring the importance of the background in creating a sense of depth.