plate no. 7667

Hortense de Beauharnais

oil, canvasRomanticismportraitportraitfiguredressjewelryhairlandscape

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle skin tone blending, and rendering delicate details like jewelry and fabric.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted green tone, suggesting a landscape.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the dress and skin tones with broad strokes.
step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, paying close attention to subtle value changes.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Paint the dress, focusing on the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 07
Add the jewelry and other accessories, paying attention to their reflective qualities.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and refine any remaining details.

color palette

primary · titanium white · alizarin crimson · ivory black · yellow ochre

secondary · viridian green · raw umber · cadmium yellow

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, crimson, yellow ochre, and a touch of black. Use viridian green and raw umber for the background. Mix white with crimson for the pink dress.

techniques