plate no. 2482

Comtesse Tessin

oilRococoportraitportraitwomanclothingfurribbonheadscarf

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as practice blending and layering techniques to create soft, realistic effects.

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 composition, paying attention to proportions and placement of the figure within the oval frame.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, background, red cloak, fur, and black headscarf.
step 03
Begin layering and blending colors to create smooth transitions in the skin tones, focusing on highlights and shadows.
step 04
Develop the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes and subtle color variations.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, including the folds and textures of the red cloak and the fur trim.
step 06
Paint the black headscarf, paying attention to the way it drapes and folds around the head.
step 07
Refine the background and the oval frame, adding subtle variations in color and tone.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to the entire painting to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, and a touch of raw umber. Use burnt sienna and raw umber to create the dark tones of the fur. Mix ivory black and raw umber for the headscarf.

techniques