plate no. 1778

Madame Jean-Baptiste Nicolet

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfigurebooksclothingtablelace

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, skin tone mixing, and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the main shapes and proportions of the figure, books, and table.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of muted brown and gray tones.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, clothing, and books, focusing on accurate value relationships.
step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, paying close attention to highlights and shadows to create form.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 06
Add details to the books and table, including the lettering and decorative elements.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. The black clothing is a mix of ivory black and burnt umber, lightened with white for highlights. The background is a muted mix of umber, white, and a touch of blue.

techniques