plate no. 2043

Woman in white

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitwomanhatclothinghandsfigure

some experience helpful

This painting offers a good exercise in portraiture, focusing on capturing likeness and form through subtle value changes. Students will also develop skills in rendering fabric and skin tones using a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the figure, hat, and hands, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of burnt sienna and umber.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face, hat, and clothing using a limited palette.
step 04
Refine the facial features, focusing on subtle value changes to create form.
step 05
Develop the details of the hat, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 06
Model the hands, capturing the subtle curves and folds.
step 07
Add highlights to the face, hat, and clothing to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Refine the edges and details, ensuring a cohesive and harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt sienna · raw umber

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre

Mix white with small amounts of burnt sienna and raw umber to create the skin tones. Use ivory black to darken the shadows. Yellow ochre can be used to warm up the skin tones and create highlights.

techniques