plate no. 7787

Portrait Stefanie Adams, wife of the painter

John Quincy Adams, 1912

oil, canvasRealismportraitfigureportraitwomanchairdresshat

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering form with a limited palette and capturing subtle tonal variations. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and textures using visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the basic proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the large shapes of the figure, chair, and background with thin washes of diluted paint.
step 03
Establish the darkest and lightest values to create a sense of depth and form.
step 04
Develop the mid-tones, paying attention to the subtle gradations of light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the face, clothing, and chair, using smaller brushes.
step 06
Refine the edges and contours of the forms to create a sense of realism.
step 07
Add highlights and accents to create visual interest.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition and values as needed.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · payne's gray · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of gray by combining black and white. Add small amounts of raw umber or yellow ochre to warm the grays. Use payne's gray for cooler shadows.

techniques