plate no. 9799

Madame Jeanne Desbassayns de Richemont And Her Son, Eugène

oilNeoclassicismportraitfigureportraitmotherchilddresschair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones. It also provides practice in painting drapery and creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions and placement of the figures.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of dark, muted color.
step 03
Establish the main shapes of the figures, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 04
Begin layering the skin tones, using subtle variations to create form and depth.
step 05
Paint the drapery, focusing on the folds and highlights to convey the texture of the fabric.
step 06
Add details to the faces, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Refine the details of the hair and clothing.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · raw umber · cadmium red light

secondary · viridian green · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Achieve the dress's white by layering thin glazes of white over a slightly darker underpainting. Use ultramarine and white for the chair.

techniques