plate no. 6600

The Green Hat

Lilla Cabot Perry, 1913

oilImpressionismself-portraitportraitwomanhatfurclothingbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding the use of light and shadow to create form and depth.

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, hat, and background.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the main areas of light and shadow with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, paying close attention to subtle color variations and transitions.
step 04
Develop the details of the hat, focusing on the texture and form of the fabric and embellishments.
step 05
Render the fur collar, using short, broken brushstrokes to create a sense of texture and volume.
step 06
Refine the background, using soft, blended brushstrokes to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to the face, hat, and clothing to enhance the overall realism and impact.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments to the composition, color, or value.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones using white, burnt sienna, and a touch of red. Achieve the green hat color by mixing viridian green with yellow ochre and a touch of black for shadows.

techniques

·portraiture
·blending
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
→Failing to capture the correct proportions of the face and figure.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the shadows and highlights.
→Creating harsh or abrupt transitions between values.
→Getting lost in the details before establishing the overall form and structure.