plate no. 5201

Study of a Head

oilAmerican Realismportraitportraitfigurewomanheadscarfclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering subtle skin tones. It also offers practice in depicting fabric and soft edges.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and scarf.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of muted green.
step 03
Establish the main shadow shapes on the face and clothing using a mid-tone mixture.
step 04
Begin layering lighter tones on the face, focusing on capturing the subtle shifts in value.
step 05
Refine the features of the face, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add details to the hair, suggesting texture and form with short, broken brushstrokes.
step 07
Paint the scarf, using a combination of soft and crisp edges to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · viridian

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, red, and umber, with small amounts of yellow ochre for warmth. The background is a mix of viridian, raw umber, and white.

techniques