plate no. 4342

The White Glove

George Washington Lambert, 1921

oilSymbolismportraitportraitwomanhatglovesfurdress

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabrics with varying textures. It also offers practice in creating depth and form using value and color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow using a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar neutral color.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the dress, fur, hat, and background with their respective base colors.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and subtle value changes.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, paying attention to the folds and textures of the fabric and fur.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension in the figure and background.
step 07
Refine the details of the hands and jewelry.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to achieve a cohesive and balanced painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · raw sienna

Mix blacks and blues with umber to create shadows and depth. Use white and yellow ochre to create highlights on the skin and fur. Mix small amounts of red into skin tones to add warmth.

techniques