plate no. 2041

Jean Duff (1746–1805), Lady Grant

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguredresslacetableflowers

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle skin tone blending, as well as rendering fabric textures and details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of key elements.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin, even layer of a neutral color.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the head, body, and clothing, using simplified color masses.
step 04
Begin refining the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Develop the details of the dress, including the lace, ribbons, and folds, using a variety of brushstrokes.
step 06
Add the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the background and add any final details, such as the flowers in the hair and the texture of the table.
step 08
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow

secondary · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, raw umber, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use ultramarine blue and white for the blue fabrics, and cadmium yellow and raw umber for the gold tones.

techniques