plate no. 0343

Crown Princess Cecilie of Prussia

Philip de Laszlo, 1906

oilImpressionismportraitportraitwomanhatdressjewelryfigure

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures with loose brushstrokes. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve subtle skin tones and atmospheric effects.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and hat.
step 02
Establish the background with loose, blended strokes of warm browns and oranges.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, using thin washes of color to define the dress and skin tones.
step 04
Develop the facial features, paying close attention to accurate proportions and subtle value changes.
step 05
Add details to the hat, using a mix of light blues, yellows, and whites to create highlights and shadows.
step 06
Render the drapery with loose, flowing brushstrokes, capturing the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 07
Refine the jewelry and other small details, using a fine brush to add highlights and shadows.
step 08
Add final glazes and adjustments to unify the painting and enhance the overall atmosphere.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create muted grays for shadows. Mix yellow ochre and white for highlights on the dress and hat.

techniques