plate no. 7250
Sha-kó-ka (mint), a Mandan girl
George Catlin, 1832
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle color blending for skin tones. It also provides practice in rendering details like hair and jewelry.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure's proportions and pose.
- step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of color.
- step 03
Establish the basic skin tones using a limited palette.
- step 04
Develop the facial features, paying attention to light and shadow.
- step 05
Paint the hair, using varying tones to create depth and texture.
- step 06
Add details to the clothing and jewelry.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition and correct any inaccuracies.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light
secondary · yellow ochre · Prussian blue · ivory black
Mix skin tones by blending raw umber, titanium white, and a touch of cadmium red. Use yellow ochre and Prussian blue for the background. Add ivory black to darken colors.
techniques
- ·portrait painting
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·rendering details
common pitfalls
- →Inaccurate proportions
- →muddy skin tones
- →overworking details
- →neglecting the background
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·Prussian blue oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·assorted brushes
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A smooth canvas surface will aid in blending.
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