plate no. 3032

Sarah Bernhardt Hunting with Hounds

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitportraitfiguredogslandscapetreesclothing

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering clothing folds, as well as creating atmospheric perspective in the background.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, dogs, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the sky, trees, and ground using thin washes.
step 03
Block in the main values of the figure's face, clothing, and hair.
step 04
Begin refining the details of the face, paying attention to light and shadow.
step 05
Develop the folds and textures of the clothing, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Add details to the dogs, focusing on their fur and facial expressions.
step 07
Refine the background, adding details to the trees and figures in the distance.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · ivory black

Mix various shades of blue and white for the clothing, using burnt umber to darken the shadows. Use yellow ochre and cadmium red for skin tones, and mix with white for highlights.

techniques