plate no. 2260

Reading girl

oilRealismportraitfigureportraitreadingchairlighthair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing light and shadow on the face and hair, and in rendering fabric and skin tones with subtle color variations. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through soft edges and blended brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, chair, and book.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of green and brown tones.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, paying attention to the proportions and pose.
step 04
Begin to build up the values, starting with the darkest areas of the dress and chair.
step 05
Focus on the face, carefully observing the highlights and shadows to create form.
step 06
Add details to the hair, using small brushstrokes to suggest texture and movement.
step 07
Refine the details of the book and hands, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to create a sense of realism and depth.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

secondary · alizarin crimson · viridian green

Mix various shades of brown and green for the background. Use yellow ochre and white for highlights on the face and hair. Mix alizarin crimson with brown for the chair.

techniques