plate no. 0078

Faith ('La Foi')

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigureclothingbookhairface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and smooth blending techniques for skin tones. It also provides practice in rendering drapery and subtle color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying attention to the head, shoulders, and hand placement.
step 02
Block in the background with a muted green-brown tone, establishing the overall value.
step 03
Establish the main values of the face, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 04
Paint the drapery, focusing on the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 05
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes and subtle color variations.
step 06
Paint the book and hands, paying attention to the details and highlights.
step 07
Refine the edges and blend the colors to create a smooth, realistic finish.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by blending white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of raw umber. Use ultramarine blue and raw umber to create the muted green-brown background. Mix cadmium red light with raw umber and a touch of black to achieve the drapery color.

techniques