plate no. 9895
Woman Weighing Gold
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle skin tone variations, as well as rendering textures like fabric and metal.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the main shapes: the figure, the table, the window, and the gold objects.
- step 02
Block in the background with thin washes of color, paying attention to the subtle variations in the wood paneling.
- step 03
Establish the basic skin tones of the face and hands, focusing on the light and shadow areas.
- step 04
Begin layering the colors of the clothing, building up depth and texture with thin glazes.
- step 05
Paint the gold objects, using highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and reflectivity.
- step 06
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to the subtle nuances of expression.
- step 07
Refine the details of the clothing, jewelry, and other objects, adding highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition, ensuring that the colors and values are balanced and harmonious.
color palette
primary · red · ochre · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · gold · brown · grey
Mix skin tones by blending white, ochre, and a touch of red. Achieve the gold effect by layering yellows, browns, and highlights of white.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·portraiture
- ·rendering metal
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of harmony.
- →Failing to capture the subtle nuances of skin tone.
- →Making the gold objects look flat and lifeless.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints (red, ochre, ivory black, titanium white, brown, gold)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·assorted brushes (small round, small flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
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