plate no. 1452

Lady Mary Josephine Drummond, Gräfin von Castelblanco

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitwomandressdoglandscapetree

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating depth and atmosphere in a landscape background.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a rough sketch of the composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, dog, and background elements.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, starting with the darkest areas.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones and features of the face, paying attention to proportions.
step 04
Begin layering the colors and values of the dress, focusing on capturing the folds and highlights.
step 05
Paint the dog, paying attention to the fur texture and details.
step 06
Add details to the background, such as the trees and sky.
step 07
Refine the facial features and add highlights to the hair and clothing.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values to create a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · cadmium yellow light · rose madder

Mix various shades of gray and off-white by combining white, black, and small amounts of yellow ochre and raw umber. Achieve the pink hues by mixing alizarin crimson and titanium white.

techniques