plate no. 2738
THE CONFIRMATION WREATH
Marianne Stokes, 1909
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle skin tone variations, as well as rendering textures like pearls and foliage.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the head, neck, and shoulders, paying attention to proportions.
- step 02
Lightly sketch the placement of the wreath and the pearl necklaces.
- step 03
Block in the background with a mid-tone color, establishing the overall value.
- step 04
Begin layering skin tones, starting with a base color and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Paint the wreath, focusing on the shapes and colors of the leaves and flowers.
- step 06
Render the pearls, paying attention to highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and roundness.
- step 07
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights to the entire painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · cadmium red light
secondary · sap green · yellow ochre · ivory black
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, umber, sienna, and a touch of red. Use green and yellow ochre for the leaves, and white with a hint of umber for the pearls.
techniques
- ·portrait blending
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·rendering pearls
- ·floral painting
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of the face and head.
- →Overly harsh or muddy skin tones.
- →Flat or lifeless rendering of the pearls.
- →Lack of depth and dimension in the wreath.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brush (size 8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·odorless mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retarder medium
- ·easel
A smooth canvas surface is recommended for achieving the subtle blending in the skin tones. Consider using a medium to slow drying time for easier blending.
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