plate no. 3302

La Infanta Maria Teresa

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfiguredresscurtainjewelry

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering fabric textures and details, as well as understanding color relationships in skin tones and drapery.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of dark browns and reds.
step 03
Establish the basic shapes and values of the figure's face and hands.
step 04
Begin layering colors to define the form and create subtle gradations in skin tone.
step 05
Outline the dress and begin blocking in the major color areas.
step 06
Add details to the dress, focusing on the patterns and textures of the fabric.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, hands, and jewelry.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt sienna · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of pink by combining titanium white with small amounts of cadmium red light and burnt sienna. Achieve skin tones by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of cadmium red light. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create cool shadows.

techniques

·portraiture
·fabric rendering
·glazing
·scumbling
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, burnt sienna, cadmium red light, yellow ochre, ivory black, ultramarine blue)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife