plate no. 3537

Lady Mary Leslie

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfiguresheeplandscapefoliagesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including rendering skin tones and drapery, as well as creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective in the background.

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 of the overall composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and sheep.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background landscape, using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Establish the basic values and forms of the figure, paying attention to the light and shadow on the face and clothing.
step 04
Begin to add details to the figure, such as the hair, eyes, and folds in the drapery.
step 05
Paint the sheep, focusing on capturing the texture of the wool and the subtle variations in color.
step 06
Refine the details of the foliage and flowers, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to create a harmonious and unified composition.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · cadmium yellow light

Achieve skin tones by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson or raw umber. Create atmospheric perspective in the background by adding blue and white to the greens and browns.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·blending
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors that are too saturated or intense.
→Ignoring the importance of edges and transitions.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (titanium white, raw umber, yellow ochre, ivory black, ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson)
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·palette
·palette knife