plate no. 1277
The Honourable Edith Violet Kathleen Agar Robartes
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. Students will also learn about color mixing to achieve subtle skin tones and create depth using value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and dog.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, figure, and dog using thin washes.
- step 03
Develop the skin tones using layers of subtle color variations, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
- step 04
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 05
Render the fabric of the dress, capturing the folds and highlights.
- step 06
Paint the dog, focusing on its fur texture and facial features.
- step 07
Add details such as the jewelry, flowers, and background elements.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and balanced painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ivory black
secondary · cerulean blue · alizarin crimson · sap green
Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Create the dress color by mixing white with a small amount of yellow ochre and umber. Use blue and white for the drapery.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
- ·value studies
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a flat or muddy appearance.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the fabric.
- →Neglecting the background, which can detract from the overall composition.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·cerulean blue oil paint
- ·alizarin crimson oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to thin the paint and improve flow.
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