plate no. 0748

Catherine Capel-Coningsby, née Stephens, Countess of Essex

oilRococoportraitportraitfigurewomandressbookruff

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle skin tone variations, and rendering of fabrics and textures. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through value control.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure's proportions and pose on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin, hair, dress, and background, using thin washes.
step 03
Establish the darkest values in the background and shadows on the figure.
step 04
Begin building up the skin tones, focusing on subtle shifts in color and value.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Work on the dress, rendering the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 07
Add the details of the book and other accessories.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue or umber for shadows. Use thin glazes of color to build up depth and luminosity.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·blending
·value studies
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Overworking the skin tones and creating a muddy effect.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
→Ignoring the subtle shifts in color and value.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, titanium white, cadmium red light, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue)
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife