plate no. 0338

A Viennese Beauty

oil, panelAcademicismportraitportraitwomandresshatflowersribbon

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing subtle skin tones, as well as rendering delicate fabrics and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, hat, and dress.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of muted grays and purples.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, hat, and dress.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to light and shadow.
step 05
Develop the details of the dress, including the folds, patterns, and lace.
step 06
Add the details of the hat, including the flowers, feathers, and ribbon.
step 07
Refine the hands and any other details, adjusting values and colors as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · alizarin crimson

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · sap green

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use ultramarine blue and white to create the pale blue of the dress. Mix greens with yellow ochre and ultramarine blue.

techniques