plate no. 1910

Bona Ossowiecka

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfigureclothingjewelryhairbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It will also improve their understanding of value and color relationships in creating depth and form.

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, paying attention to the placement of the head, shoulders, and main features.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted green, blending the tones to create depth.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face with mid-tones, gradually building up the highlights and shadows.
step 04
Define the features of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, with careful attention to detail.
step 05
Paint the hair, using a variety of browns and blacks to create texture and volume.
step 06
Render the clothing, focusing on the folds and shadows to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Add the jewelry, paying attention to the highlights and reflections.
step 08
Refine the details and make any necessary adjustments to the overall composition.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · viridian

Mix various shades of brown and black for the clothing and hair. Use white and yellow ochre to create highlights on the face and jewelry. Mix viridian with ivory black and raw umber for the background.

techniques