plate no. 1423

Barbara Krafft Portrait Franz Rieder 1821

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigureclothinghairoval frame

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, skin tone mixing, and rendering of fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating subtle gradations of light and shadow to achieve a realistic effect.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying attention to the oval frame.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin, even layer of paint.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, clothing, and collar.
step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, focusing on the subtle variations in light and shadow.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Work on the clothing, paying attention to the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Refine the edges and details, making sure the painting is cohesive and polished.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red light · viridian

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. The dark blue of the coat is a mix of black and a touch of viridian. The background is a mix of yellow ochre, burnt umber, and white.

techniques