plate no. 4503
Duchess Maria Feodorovna Baryatinsky, née. Keller
Christina Robertson, 1845
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate skin tone mixing and rendering delicate fabrics like lace. It also provides practice in capturing subtle light and shadow to create form.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions.
- step 02
Block in the background with a thin, even layer of color.
- step 03
Establish the main shapes of the dress and skin tones using broad strokes.
- step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to refine the skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Work on the details of the dress, including the folds and textures.
- step 06
Carefully render the lace, using thin glazes and delicate brushstrokes.
- step 07
Add the jewelry and other accessories, paying attention to their reflective qualities.
- step 08
Refine the overall composition and add any final details.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber
secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · ivory black
Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, umber, and small amounts of crimson and yellow. The blue dress requires mixing ultramarine with black and white for highlights. The background is a mix of umber and white with hints of yellow.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·rendering fabric
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions in the initial sketch.
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Failing to capture the delicate texture of the lace.
- →Inaccurate color mixing for the dress and background.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·cadmium yellow oil paint
- ·alizarin crimson oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A smooth canvas surface will aid in blending.
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