plate no. 3365
The Mirror
William Orpen, 1900
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, capturing subtle light and shadow, and rendering reflections. It also provides practice in depicting fabrics and textures.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, mirror, and other key elements.
- step 02
Establish the background colors and values, paying attention to the subtle shifts in tone.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the dress, hat, and chair.
- step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle expressions.
- step 05
Develop the details of the dress and hat, capturing the folds and textures of the fabric.
- step 06
Paint the mirror and its reflection, simplifying the scene within the reflection.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Refine the details and make any necessary adjustments to the composition.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · cadmium yellow light · alizarin crimson
Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use raw umber and ivory black to create the darker tones in the dress and chair. Mix ivory black and yellow ochre for the green wall.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to accurately capture the proportions of the figure.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in value and color.
- →Making the reflection too detailed, distracting from the main subject.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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