plate no. 3623
Anne, Lady Holte (1734–1799)
George Romney, 1783
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and subtle variations in light and shadow.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin, dress, background, and hair.
- step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, paying attention to subtle shifts in color and value.
- step 04
Develop the details of the dress, focusing on the folds and textures of the fabric.
- step 05
Add the lace details, using thin brushes and light, delicate strokes.
- step 06
Refine the hair, creating soft curls and highlights.
- step 07
Adjust the background to create depth and contrast.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium red light
secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna
Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Create the dress color by mixing black and umber, adding white for highlights. Use white with a touch of umber to create the lace.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·blending
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·rendering fabric
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
- →Getting the proportions wrong.
- →Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff or unnatural appearance.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·raw sienna oil paint
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) is recommended.
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