plate no. 6899

Madame Louise of France

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguredressflowerstreelandscape

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering delicate fabrics and skin tones. It also provides practice in creating soft, atmospheric backgrounds.

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 figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with thin washes of color, focusing on the overall tones.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones and begin building up the form of the face with subtle shading.
step 04
Start rendering the dress, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 05
Add the details of the lace and the flowers, using small brushes.
step 06
Refine the facial features and add highlights to the hair.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of harmony.
step 08
Add final details and touch-ups.

color palette

primary · titanium white · rose madder · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · raw umber

Achieve the skin tones by mixing titanium white, rose madder, and yellow ochre. Use ultramarine blue and viridian green to create the atmospheric background. Mix rose madder with white for the pinks in the dress and flowers.

techniques