plate no. 4768
The New Bonnet
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding how to create depth and form with subtle value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, hat, and shoulders.
- 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 tones, hat, clothing, and background.
- step 04
Begin refining the skin tones, paying attention to subtle shifts in color and value.
- step 05
Develop the details of the hat, using darker values to create shadows and lighter values to suggest highlights.
- step 06
Work on the background, using loose brushstrokes to create a sense of depth and texture.
- step 07
Add final details, such as the eyes, mouth, and any other distinguishing features.
- step 08
Adjust values and colors as needed to create a cohesive and harmonious painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ivory black
secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue
Skin tones can be achieved by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of cadmium red. Use burnt umber and ivory black to create shadows and darker values. Add a touch of ultramarine blue to cool down the shadows.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
- →Ignoring the subtle value changes that create depth and form.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in an unnatural look.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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