plate no. 9323

Sybil Waller in a Red and Gold Dress

George Washington Lambert, 1905

oilSymbolismportraitportraitfiguredresslandscapehillssky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing, and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere in a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and the main elements of the background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background landscape.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones and features of the face.
step 04
Begin layering the dress, focusing on the patterns and folds.
step 05
Add details to the jewelry and other accessories.
step 06
Refine the background, adding details to the hills and sky.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create depth and harmony.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · red · gold · brown · ochre

secondary · blue · green · white

Mix various shades of red by combining a base red with browns, yellows, and a touch of blue. Create gold tones by mixing yellow ochre with browns and a touch of white. Achieve the landscape colors by blending browns, greens, and blues.

techniques