plate no. 1180
Vera Stravinsky
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and subtle tonal variations. It also provides practice in creating form using light and shadow in a limited palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and hat.
- step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the painting, such as the hat and shadows under the chin and eyes.
- step 03
Begin layering in mid-tones, focusing on the planes of the face and neck.
- step 04
Blend the tones to create smooth transitions, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value.
- step 05
Add highlights to the forehead, nose, cheekbones, and lips to define the form.
- step 06
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, capturing the likeness of the subject.
- step 07
Work on the background, blending it smoothly to create a soft, diffused effect.
- step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to achieve a cohesive and balanced composition.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber
secondary · payne's gray · yellow ochre
Mix various shades of gray by combining black and white in different ratios. Add small amounts of raw umber or yellow ochre to warm the grays slightly for skin tones.
techniques
- ·tonal blending
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·portrait sketching
- ·limited palette painting
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the blending, resulting in a muddy or flat appearance.
- →Failing to accurately capture the proportions of the face.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in value, leading to a lack of form.
- →Using too much black, making the painting appear too dark and heavy.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a smooth canvas to facilitate blending. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a mid-tone base.
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