plate no. 2871

Louise Eleonore von Wreech

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguredresslacehairjewelry

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as layering and blending techniques to create soft transitions and subtle details in the face and clothing.

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, paying attention to the placement of the head, shoulders, and arms.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of burnt umber and raw sienna.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, dress, and shawl, using a limited palette of earth tones and white.
step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, focusing on capturing the subtle variations in light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes and precise strokes.
step 06
Work on the dress, using a combination of layering and dry brushing to create the texture of the fabric and lace.
step 07
Paint the shawl, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to the entire painting, such as the jewelry and hair ornaments.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw sienna · burnt umber · ivory black

secondary · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre · viridian

Mix skin tones by blending white, raw sienna, burnt umber, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Achieve the dress color by mixing white, raw sienna, and a small amount of yellow ochre.

techniques

·portraiture
·layering
·blending
·dry brushing
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions in the initial sketch.
→Overblending the skin tones, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
→Getting lost in the details of the dress before establishing the overall form.
→Using too much paint, which can make the painting look muddy.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, raw sienna, burnt umber, ivory black, alizarin crimson, yellow ochre, viridian)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags or paper towels