plate no. 4837

Catherine Vernon, Mrs George Vernon of Sudbury

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfiguredresscurtainlandscapetable

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding fabric folds and drapery.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and major shapes.
step 02
Block in the background colors, establishing the overall tone.
step 03
Begin layering the skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 04
Work on the dress, paying attention to the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 05
Paint the drapery, focusing on the subtle color variations and textures.
step 06
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, to capture the likeness.
step 07
Refine the details of the hands and the object being held.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and realistic painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black · raw sienna

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Achieve the dress colors by mixing umber, yellow ochre, and white, with touches of blue for the darker areas. Create the blue fabric with ultramarine blue, white, and a touch of black.

techniques