plate no. 5204

Maria Luisa of Spain, wife of Emperor Leopold II

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguredresstabledrawingheadwear

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabrics with subtle color variations. Students will also practice creating soft, diffused lighting and blending techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the overall composition, paying attention to proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and then the figure's dress and skin tones.
step 03
Begin to refine the skin tones, using subtle color variations to create depth and form.
step 04
Work on the details of the dress, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 05
Paint the headwear, carefully rendering the texture and folds of the fabric.
step 06
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes and fine strokes.
step 07
Refine the drawing and the table, adding details and highlights.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to the entire painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson

secondary · viridian green · raw umber · cadmium yellow light

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Create the green dress by mixing viridian green with ivory black and a touch of yellow. Use raw umber and ivory black for the background.

techniques