plate no. 2486

Marie Charlotte Boissier

pastelRococoportraitportraitwomanclothingrococohistorical figurepastel

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering delicate skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting fabric textures and subtle color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying attention to the pose and overall composition.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin, even layer of pastel.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, clothing, and hair, focusing on the overall values.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the placement and shape of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and highlights of the fabric.
step 06
Add the details of the hair, working from the larger shapes to the individual strands.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting the values and colors as needed to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · alizarin crimson · raw umber · ivory black

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson. The blue coat is created with ultramarine blue and a touch of black. The background is a mix of yellow ochre, raw umber, and white.

techniques