plate no. 3857
The pearl necklace
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict fabric and jewelry with subtle variations in color and light.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
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 figure's proportions and placement.
- step 02
Establish the background with thin washes of color, gradually building up depth.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the figure's clothing and skin.
- step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow.
- step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and textures.
- step 06
Paint the jewelry, focusing on the highlights and reflections.
- step 07
Add final details and adjustments to the overall composition.
- step 08
Varnish the painting after it is completely dry.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · cadmium red
secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · ivory black
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Use blue and green to create the darker shades in the clothing and background.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth in the background.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium such as linseed oil can be used to thin the paints and improve flow.
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