plate no. 4171

Woman in White

Arthur Beecher Carles, 1920

oilPost-Impressionismportraitfigureportraitdresshaircouchred

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and capturing form with loose, expressive brushstrokes. It also provides an opportunity to study the interplay of warm and cool colors.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and the couch.
step 02
Establish the background color with broad strokes of red and brown.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the figure with simplified color masses, focusing on light and shadow.
step 04
Mix skin tones using a limited palette of white, yellow ochre, red, and a touch of blue.
step 05
Develop the form of the face and body with short, directional brushstrokes.
step 06
Add details to the dress and hair, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 07
Refine the edges and contours of the figure to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · red · white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue to cool down the skin tones in shadow areas. The red background is a mix of red and burnt umber.

techniques