plate no. 6266

Countess Anna Protassowa with niece

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitfiguresdressjewelrylandscapehair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as blending and layering techniques to create soft transitions.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures and background.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas with a thin wash of neutral color.
step 03
Begin layering skin tones, focusing on subtle color variations and smooth blending.
step 04
Paint the dresses, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
step 05
Add details to the hair, jewelry, and other accessories.
step 06
Refine the background landscape, keeping it soft and atmospheric.
step 07
Glaze to unify the colors and add depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and details.

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, a touch of red, and a hint of umber. Use ultramarine and umber to create muted greens and grays for the background.

techniques