plate no. 9344

Countess Vera Zavadovskaya

oilRococoportraitportraitfigurewomandresshairshawl

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and creating soft, diffused lighting.

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 figure, paying attention to the pose and overall composition.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of muted green and brown.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, hair, dress, and shawl.
step 04
Begin refining the skin tones, using subtle color variations to create form and volume.
step 05
Develop the details of the hair, using small brushstrokes to suggest texture and volume.
step 06
Work on the drapery of the dress and shawl, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 07
Add the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and colors as needed to create a cohesive and harmonious image.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · ivory black

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Achieve the green background by mixing blue, yellow, and a touch of brown. The red shawl is a mix of cadmium red and a touch of burnt umber.

techniques