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home·artworks·Marie Antoinette in a red hunting costume
Marie Antoinette in a red hunting costume by Joseph Kreutzinger

plate no. 6068

Marie Antoinette in a red hunting costume

Joseph Kreutzinger, 1771

pastel, parchmentNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigureclothinghattreelandscape
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as blending pastel colors to create smooth transitions and subtle shading.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.

  2. step 02

    Establish the main areas of color, blocking in the skin tones, clothing, and background.

  3. step 03

    Begin layering and blending colors to create smooth transitions and subtle shading, starting with the face.

  4. step 04

    Add details to the clothing, including the buttons, lace, and trim.

  5. step 05

    Refine the background, adding depth and texture to the tree and sky.

  6. step 06

    Pay close attention to the lighting and shadows to create a sense of volume and form.

  7. step 07

    Add final highlights and details to the face and clothing.

  8. step 08

    Review the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · red · white · blue · grey

secondary · gold · brown · pink

Mix various shades of red by adding white, brown, or pink to achieve the desired tones for the jacket. Create skin tones by blending white, pink, yellow, and a touch of blue.

techniques

  • ·blending
  • ·layering
  • ·scumbling
  • ·hatching
  • ·portraiture

common pitfalls

  • →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
  • →Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
  • →Failing to capture the subtle nuances of the skin tones.
  • →Neglecting the details of the clothing and background.

materials

surface · Pastel paper or sanded paper

required

  • ·Pastel set (soft pastels)
  • ·Pastel pencils
  • ·Pastel paper or sanded paper
  • ·Blending stumps or tortillons
  • ·Kneaded eraser
  • ·Fixative spray
  • ·Drawing board
  • ·Reference photo

optional

  • ·Palette knife
  • ·Workable fixative

Use a fixative spray sparingly to avoid darkening the colors. Work in a well-ventilated area when using fixative.

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