plate no. 8383

Princess Aristizza Ghyka

oilAcademicismportraitportraitfigurewomandressdark backgroundhair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing skin tones and creating depth through value contrasts. It also offers practice in loose, expressive brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare a toned canvas with a mid-tone brown or gray.
step 02
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure with charcoal or thinned paint.
step 03
Block in the darkest areas of the background and hair using dark browns and blacks.
step 04
Establish the main skin tones with a mix of white, red, yellow, and brown, focusing on the light and shadow areas.
step 05
Develop the details of the face, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color and value.
step 06
Paint the dress and flower, using lighter tones and softer edges.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of form and depth.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white with small amounts of red, yellow, and brown. Darken colors with burnt umber or ivory black, and lighten with white. Use alizarin crimson and white for the pink flower.

techniques

·alla prima
·blending
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·color temperature

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early.
→Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Ignoring subtle color variations in the skin tones.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (12x16 or similar)
·Oil paints (ivory black, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil or other painting medium
·Odorless mineral spirits or turpentine
·Rags or paper towels

optional

·palette knife
·medium (e.g. Liquin)
·varnish

A toned canvas will help to unify the painting and make it easier to judge values. Use a medium to improve the flow of the paint and speed up drying time.

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