plate no. 2356

The model

oilRealismportraitportraitfigurewomanhairclothingface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and creating subtle skin tones. It also provides practice in rendering soft, diffused lighting and blending colors seamlessly.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and hair.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: skin, hair, clothing, and background.
step 04
Begin refining the skin tones, paying close attention to subtle shifts in color and value.
step 05
Develop the details of the hair, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture and volume.
step 06
Refine the features of the face, focusing on capturing the likeness of the model.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, red, and umber, with small amounts of yellow ochre for warmth. Darker tones are created by adding ivory black or more burnt umber.

techniques

·blending
·glazing
·scumbling
·portraiture
·value studies

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
→Overworking the skin tones and creating a muddy effect.
→Failing to capture the subtle shifts in value and color.
→Ignoring the importance of soft edges and diffused lighting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 or similar)
·oil paints (titanium white, burnt umber, cadmium red light, yellow ochre, ivory black)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags or paper towels