plate no. 7984

Charlotte Stanley, Countess of Derby

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguredresshairjewelryoval frame

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in tonal shading and creating subtle gradations of value to depict form. It also provides practice in rendering fabric and hair textures using a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the oval frame and the basic outline of the figure, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the darkest and lightest areas of the portrait to define the value range.
step 03
Begin blocking in the mid-tones on the face, dress, and background, blending carefully.
step 04
Gradually build up the darker values in the shadows, using thin layers of paint.
step 05
Add highlights to the face, dress, and hair to create a sense of volume and light.
step 06
Refine the details of the hair, jewelry, and dress, using smaller brushes.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and contrast to achieve a balanced and harmonious composition.
step 08
Add final details and touch-ups as needed.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · payne's gray · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of gray by combining ivory black and titanium white. Add small amounts of raw umber or yellow ochre to warm up the grays and create subtle variations in tone.

techniques