plate no. 0145

The Rose of Saron (portrait of Zofia Minder; ornamental fantasy)

Józef Mehoffer, 1923

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)portraitfigureportraitdresschairflowersornament

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 depict fabric and drapery with light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's pose and the placement of the chair and background elements.
step 02
Lay in the main color blocks for the skin, dress, background, and chair, using thin washes of color.
step 03
Develop the skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows to create form.
step 04
Work on the dress, using darker values to create folds and drapery, and lighter values for highlights.
step 05
Refine the background, adding details to the ornamental patterns and flowers.
step 06
Add details to the chair, including the wood grain and shadows.
step 07
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth to capture the likeness.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · alizarin crimson · cerulean blue · raw sienna

Mix various shades of brown and black for the dress. Use white and alizarin crimson to create skin tones, and mix yellow ochre with white for the background.

techniques