plate no. 7291

Louise Lefuel Hochon

oil, canvasRomanticismportraitportraitfigurewomandresshairface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing subtle skin tones and soft lighting. It also provides practice in blending and creating a sense of depth through layering.

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 dress.
step 02
Establish the background with loose washes of yellow, green, and blue, blending them softly.
step 03
Block in the main areas of skin tone using a base of light ochre and white.
step 04
Begin layering in shadows and highlights on the face, using subtle variations of brown, red, and white.
step 05
Define the features of the face, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Paint the hair with a mix of browns and blacks, adding highlights to create volume.
step 07
Develop the dress with soft, flowing brushstrokes, using white and pale yellows.
step 08
Add final details and refine the edges to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and small amounts of red and brown. Use blue and yellow to create the soft greens in the background.

techniques