plate no. 1088

The Black Hat

oilImpressionismportraitportraitwomanhatclothingfigurehands

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, specifically capturing likeness and subtle tonal variations in skin tones and clothing. It also provides practice in rendering textures with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hands.
step 02
Establish the background colors, blending the blue patterned area and the warmer brown tones.
step 03
Block in the main values of the face, using thin washes of color to build up the skin tones.
step 04
Develop the details of the hat, paying attention to the texture of the feathers and the shadows within the hat's form.
step 05
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and creases to create a sense of volume.
step 06
Refine the hands, capturing the subtle forms and the texture of the cloth being held.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the figure.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a cohesive and harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · raw umber · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, ivory black, and titanium white. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to warm up the skin tones. Add small amounts of ultramarine blue to darken shadows.

techniques