plate no. 4675

Vanity II

Frank Cadogan Cowper, 1919

oil, canvasRomanticismportraitfigureportraitfurpearlsfabricred

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate skin tone mixing and rendering of light and shadow. It also provides practice in depicting textures like fur and fabric.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and key elements.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin layer of red and black, defining the patterned fabric.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the figure, starting with the skin tones and the fur coat using light washes.
step 04
Develop the skin tones further, layering and blending to create smooth transitions and subtle variations.
step 05
Add details to the face, including the eyes, lips, and hair, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 06
Work on the fur coat, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and depth.
step 07
Paint the pearls and other accessories, capturing their reflective qualities.
step 08
Refine the details and add final touches, adjusting values and colors as needed.

color palette

primary · titanium white · cadmium red · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · ivory black · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Skin tones are achieved by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of burnt umber. Fur is created by layering shades of white, yellow ochre, and burnt umber.

techniques