plate no. 9718

Lady Ann Somerset, Countess of Northampton (at the Age of About 14)

pastelRococoportraitportraitfigureclothinghairheadwearlace

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in blending pastels to achieve soft skin tones and rendering delicate details like lace and hair. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness and creating a sense of depth through subtle shading.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure.
step 02
Establish the background color with a soft, even layer of pastel.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color on the face, hair, and clothing, focusing on the overall values.
step 04
Begin blending the pastel layers to create smooth transitions and soft edges, especially in the skin tones.
step 05
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying close attention to their placement and shape.
step 06
Develop the hair by layering different shades of brown and adding highlights to create volume and texture.
step 07
Render the clothing, including the lace and floral details, using fine lines and subtle shading.
step 08
Refine the overall composition by adjusting the values and adding final highlights and shadows.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · rose madder · Prussian blue

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black · burnt sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, rose madder, and a touch of yellow ochre. Create subtle variations by adding small amounts of raw umber or burnt sienna. Mix blues and whites for the clothing trim.

techniques

·pastel blending
·layering
·scumbling
·hatching
·rendering fine details

common pitfalls

→Overblending, which can result in a muddy or flat appearance.
→Incorrect proportions, which can distort the likeness of the subject.
→Neglecting the subtle value changes that create depth and form.
→Using colors that are too saturated, which can make the portrait look unnatural.