plate no. 0863

Elizabeth Gunning, Duchess of Hamilton (later Duchess of Argyll)

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitfiguredresshairlaceshawl

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, skin tone mixing, and rendering of fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating subtle gradations of light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions of the figure and the main shapes of the dress and shawl.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of burnt umber and yellow ochre.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face, neck, and hands using a limited palette of white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 05
Start building up the layers of the dress, focusing on the intricate details of the lace and fabric.
step 06
Add the shawl, using darker values to create depth and contrast.
step 07
Refine the hair, adding highlights and shadows to create volume and texture.
step 08
Add final details and glazes to unify the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · Prussian blue

secondary · cadmium red light · ivory black

Skin tones can be achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. The blue dress is a mix of Prussian blue and white, with subtle variations created by adding small amounts of burnt umber or black.

techniques