plate no. 9991

Rachel Annand Taylor

John Duncan, 1907

oilSymbolismportraitportraitfiguredressjewelrybookfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric folds. It also provides practice in creating subtle color variations and depicting intricate details like jewelry.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, book, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in the main areas of color, such as the skin tones, dress, and background.
step 03
Begin refining the facial features, paying attention to the subtle variations in value and color.
step 04
Develop the details of the dress, including the folds and highlights.
step 05
Add the jewelry, carefully rendering the individual beads and stones.
step 06
Work on the background, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Refine the details of the book and hands.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · purple · red · flesh tones · brown

secondary · gold · green · blue

Achieve the purple hues by mixing blues and reds, and create the skin tones by blending reds, yellows, and whites. Use glazes to create depth in the shadows.

techniques