plate no. 2076

Dolley Madison (Mrs. James Madison)

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguredresschaircolumndrapery

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, skin tone mixing, and rendering fabric folds. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form using subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on accurate proportions of the figure and placement of key elements.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, blended strokes, creating a soft, atmospheric effect.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, paying attention to the overall form and light direction.
step 04
Begin layering skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 05
Define the features of the face, focusing on accurate placement and subtle value changes.
step 06
Paint the dress, paying attention to the folds and drapery, and the way light interacts with the fabric.
step 07
Add details such as the jewelry, hair, and chair, refining the overall composition.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors, ensuring a harmonious and balanced painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · cadmium red · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · gold

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue or umber for shadows. Use white and yellow ochre for the dress, with subtle variations for highlights and shadows. Mix umber and red for the background drapery.

techniques