plate no. 9689

Juliet on the Balcony

canvas, oilRomanticismportraitfigurebalconyarchitecturedressfoliageportrait

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including rendering realistic skin tones and drapery, and understanding atmospheric perspective to create depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and architectural elements.
step 02
Establish the background with broad washes of color, paying attention to the light source.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, focusing on accurate proportions and pose.
step 04
Begin layering in details of the dress, using subtle variations in tone to create folds and texture.
step 05
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow on the face.
step 06
Add details to the balcony and foliage, using smaller brushes to create texture and detail.
step 07
Glaze the painting to unify the colors and create a sense of depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the realism of the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · alizarin crimson · cadmium yellow light · viridian

Mix various shades of white with small amounts of yellow ochre, raw umber, and ivory black to create the subtle tones of the dress and skin. Use alizarin crimson and white for the pink drapery.

techniques