plate no. 6827

A Young Lady

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)portraitportraitfigurehairdressjewelryface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle color blending for skin tones, and rendering fine details like hair and fabric.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and dress.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin layer of dark brown, allowing some texture to show through.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, hair, dress, and jewelry.
step 04
Begin refining the skin tones, using subtle layers of color to create highlights and shadows.
step 05
Work on the hair, using small brushstrokes to define individual strands and curls.
step 06
Add details to the dress, including the decorative elements and the small figure in the center.
step 07
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red · yellow ochre

secondary · viridian · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Use viridian sparingly to create the green in the eyes and jewelry. Mix dark browns by combining umber and black.

techniques