plate no. 0443

Young Woman Looking to Her Right (Susanna (muse))

Graydon Parrish, 2010

oilContemporary Realismportraitportraitwomanhairfaceshoulderclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, specifically in rendering skin tones, hair texture, and subtle value transitions. It will also improve their understanding of anatomy and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the overall composition, focusing on proportions and placement of features.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and then the skin tones.
step 03
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, paying close attention to subtle value changes.
step 04
Work on the hair, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture and depth.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and contrast as needed.
step 08
Add final details and touch-ups.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · cadmium red light

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Skin tones are achieved by mixing titanium white, raw umber, burnt sienna, and a touch of cadmium red light. Hair color is created with a combination of raw umber, burnt sienna, and ultramarine blue.

techniques