plate no. 6201

Queen Mary

Solomon Joseph Solomon, 1927

oilImpressionismportraitportraitfigurehatclothingjewelryqueen

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and using loose brushwork to suggest form rather than define every detail. It also provides practice in mixing subtle flesh tones and creating a sense of light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hat.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of burnt umber and raw sienna.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face, hat, and clothing using a limited palette of flesh tones and white.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying attention to the placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add details to the clothing and jewelry, using small brushstrokes to suggest texture and form.
step 06
Develop the background further, adding subtle variations in color and tone to create depth.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed to create a sense of harmony.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black

Flesh tones are achieved by mixing white, burnt umber, raw sienna, and a touch of cadmium red light. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create the dark blue sash and jewelry.

techniques

·dry brush texture
·broken color
·scumbling
·alla prima
·blending

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
→Using too much color and creating a muddy effect.
→Failing to establish a strong sense of light and shadow.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, burnt umber, raw sienna, cadmium red light, ultramarine blue, ivory black)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat, sizes 2-8)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife