plate no. 3992

Lady Hamilton as Circe

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfigurewomanhairdressfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding soft blending techniques to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hair.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of dark browns and greens, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face with light flesh tones, paying attention to the placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, adding subtle shadows and highlights to create form.
step 05
Develop the hair with loose, flowing strokes, using a mix of browns and blacks.
step 06
Paint the dress with soft whites and grays, suggesting the folds and drapery.
step 07
Add final details, such as the highlights in the eyes and the subtle blush on the cheeks.
step 08
Blend edges and refine values to create a harmonious and atmospheric effect.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · raw sienna · cadmium red light

secondary · ivory black · sap green · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of brown by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and ivory black. Achieve skin tones by blending titanium white, cadmium red light, and yellow ochre, adjusting the proportions to create highlights and shadows.

techniques