plate no. 8194

A Souvenir of Velazquez

oil, canvasRealismportraitportraitfiguregirldressflowerhair

experienced study

Recreating this painting will develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and creating realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to use light and shadow to create depth and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of the main elements.
step 02
Establish the dark background with thin washes of dark brown and black, gradually building up depth.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the dress and skin tones, paying attention to the overall color harmony.
step 04
Start building up the skin tones with layers of thin glazes, focusing on capturing the subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Work on the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying close attention to the light and shadow.
step 06
Add details to the dress, including the ribbons, lace, and folds, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Paint the flower and leaves, focusing on capturing their delicate forms and colors.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting the values and colors as needed to create a cohesive and realistic image.

color palette

primary · ivory black · cadmium red · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow

Mix skin tones using titanium white, yellow ochre, and cadmium red, with small amounts of burnt umber and ultramarine blue for shadows. Achieve the dark background by mixing ivory black and burnt umber. Use cadmium red and titanium white to create the pinkish hues of the dress.

techniques