plate no. 6766

The Furs

Robert Lewis Reid, 1911

oilImpressionismportraitportraitwomanhatfursflowersbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impressionistic brushwork and color mixing to create form and texture. It also provides practice in portraiture and capturing the essence of a subject.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin building up layers of color using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 04
Focus on capturing the textures of the furs, hat, and background.
step 05
Pay close attention to the colors in the skin tones and clothing.
step 06
Refine the details of the face and hands.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making adjustments as needed.

color palette

primary · ivory black · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

secondary · sap green · violet · raw umber

Mix various shades of black and brown for the furs. Use a combination of red, yellow, and white for skin tones. Create the background with a mix of blues, greens, yellows, and reds.

techniques