plate no. 6743

An Unfinished Portrait of Mrs Soane, Painted from a Pencil Sketch by J. Flaxman, RA and a Miniature

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguredogcolumndraperysky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as practicing loose brushwork and creating soft transitions.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, dog, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas using a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the local colors of the skin, clothing, drapery, and background, focusing on accurate color relationships.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing and drapery, using loose brushstrokes to suggest texture and form.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Paint the dog, capturing its unique features and personality.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition, color, and value to create a harmonious and balanced painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · cadmium red light

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix various shades of white with small amounts of other colors to achieve the subtle skin tones. Use raw umber and ultramarine blue to create the muted greens and grays in the background.

techniques