plate no. 6975

profile woman portrait

oilRealismportraitportraitwomanprofiledresshairfigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of light and shadow on the face. It also provides practice in blending and creating soft transitions in skin tones.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of brown and umber tones.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face and dress.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the planes of the face.
step 05
Develop the details of the hair and clothing, adding highlights and shadows.
step 06
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in tone and texture.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to the face and clothing.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and create depth.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson

Mix skin tones by blending white, sienna, and a touch of red. Use umber and black for shadows. Add small amounts of alizarin crimson for warmth in the cheeks and lips.

techniques