plate no. 9487

The Mask

Thomas Dewing, 1902

oilTonalismgenre paintingfiguremaskportraitdresschairred background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, figure drawing, and creating subtle tonal variations within a limited color palette. It also encourages practice in soft blending techniques to achieve a hazy, atmospheric effect.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, chair, and mask.
step 02
Establish the overall composition and placement of elements.
step 03
Block in the background with a base layer of red, varying the tone slightly.
step 04
Begin layering in the figure's skin tones, focusing on subtle shifts in value and color.
step 05
Develop the drapery and dress, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 06
Paint the chair, using darker tones to create depth and contrast.
step 07
Add details to the mask, capturing its shape and subtle features.
step 08
Refine the edges and details, blending and softening as needed to achieve the desired atmospheric effect.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · alizarin crimson · ivory black

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna and alizarin crimson. The background red can be created with burnt sienna and alizarin crimson, lightened with white in areas.

techniques

·soft blending
·glazing
·scumbling
·tonal layering
·figure drawing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the soft, atmospheric effect.
→Using too much contrast and creating harsh edges.
→Inaccurate proportions in the figure drawing.
→Failing to capture the subtle tonal variations in the skin tones and background.