plate no. 6730

The Misses Santley

oilRealismportraitfiguresportraitsclothingbookhairfaces

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle skin tone variations, as well as understanding how to create depth through value and color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures and the book, paying attention to their relative positions.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark background and the main areas of light and shadow on the figures.
step 03
Begin layering in the skin tones, starting with a base color and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, focusing on the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 05
Refine the features of the faces, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add the details of the hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture and volume.
step 07
Paint the book, suggesting the texture of the pages and the binding.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · titanium white · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the dark background and shadows.

techniques