plate no. 4374

Caroline Louisa Pratt Bartlett

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitwomandressfur stolebooktable

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering skin tones, as well as practicing the depiction of different textures like fabric and fur.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and composition.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark, neutral tone, establishing the overall value structure.
step 03
Establish the main skin tones on the face and hands, focusing on accurate color mixing and subtle gradations.
step 04
Begin layering the dress, paying attention to the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 05
Carefully render the fur stole, using small brushstrokes to create the texture of the fur.
step 06
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, ensuring accurate placement and expression.
step 07
Paint the book and table, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Refine the details and make any necessary adjustments to the overall composition.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre

secondary · raw umber · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and alizarin crimson. Use ivory black and raw umber to create the dark background tones. Mix alizarin crimson with a touch of ivory black for the dress.

techniques