plate no. 6544

Doña María Catalina de Urrutia

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguredresschildbackgroundornament

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering details in clothing and accessories. It also provides practice in creating subtle color variations and depicting textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and proportions of the figures and background elements.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the overall values and color relationships.
step 03
Refine the shapes and details of the figures, paying attention to the anatomy and facial features.
step 04
Add details to the clothing, including the lace, ruffles, and embellishments.
step 05
Develop the background, adding depth and detail to the architectural elements and drapery.
step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows, creating a sense of form and volume.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.
step 08
Varnish the painting to protect the surface and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Titanium white · Cadmium red light

secondary · Yellow ochre · Burnt umber · Ivory black

Mix blues and whites for the dress, adding touches of yellow ochre for warmth. Use reds and umbers for the boy's suit, and mix grays from black and white for the hair and background.

techniques

·Portraiture
·Glazing
·Scumbling
·Blending
·Rendering fabric

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of form.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 16x20
·Oil paints (Prussian blue, Titanium white, Cadmium red light, Yellow ochre, Burnt umber, Ivory black)
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags