plate no. 3265

Madame de Porcin

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguredogclothingflowershair

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding the nuances of fabric and floral details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, dog, and oval background.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow using a thin wash of burnt umber.
step 03
Block in the skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 04
Paint the clothing, paying attention to the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 05
Render the dog's fur with short, broken brushstrokes, varying the color and value to create texture.
step 06
Add the floral details in the hair and around the dog's neck, using small brushes and vibrant colors.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, to capture the likeness of the subject.
step 08
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a harmonious and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · viridian

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue. Create the dark background by mixing black and blue. Use alizarin crimson and white for the pinks in the face and flowers.

techniques