plate no. 3703

Sarah Eliot

Prudence Heward, 1945

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguregirldresshairbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating depth through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness and conveying emotion through facial expression.

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 figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and dress.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of green and brown, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, and dress, using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying attention to the subtle variations in skin tone and the play of light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture and movement.
step 06
Refine the dress, adding details such as the collar and sleeves, and paying attention to the folds and drapery.
step 07
Add the bow in the hair, using a lighter shade of blue to create contrast.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition, ensuring that the figure is well-balanced and that the overall effect is harmonious.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · cerulean blue · raw umber

secondary · cadmium red light · viridian

Mix skin tones by blending yellow ochre, titanium white, and a touch of cadmium red light. Use raw umber to create shadows and define features. Achieve the blue of the dress by mixing cerulean blue with titanium white and a hint of viridian.

techniques

·portraiture
·color mixing
·blending
·layering
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions wrong
→Overworking the details
→Using too much paint
→Failing to capture the likeness

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 12x16
·Oil paints (titanium white, yellow ochre, cerulean blue, raw umber, cadmium red light, viridian)
·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·Flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife