plate no. 1756

The Poppy Screen

Lilla Cabot Perry, 1915

oilImpressionismportraitportraitwomanflowersscreendresschair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and subtle skin tones, as well as rendering delicate fabrics and floral patterns.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the screen.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of yellow and ochre.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, paying attention to proportions and pose.
step 04
Begin layering colors to define the skin tones, using subtle variations of pink, yellow, and brown.
step 05
Paint the dress and shawl, focusing on capturing the delicate fabric and subtle folds.
step 06
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 07
Paint the flowers on the screen, using a variety of colors and brushstrokes to create texture and depth.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Create the screen's gold effect by layering yellow ochre with touches of burnt sienna.

techniques