plate no. 1024

Marie Madeleine Guimard

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfiguredresslacehair ornamenttable

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating soft, diffused lighting and subtle color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark, muted color.
step 03
Establish the main shapes and values of the face, dress, and lace collar.
step 04
Begin layering colors to build depth and dimension in the skin tones.
step 05
Develop the details of the dress, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 06
Render the lace collar with delicate brushstrokes and subtle shading.
step 07
Add details to the hair ornament and other accessories.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and add final touches.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · viridian

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Create the dark background by mixing black, umber, and a hint of blue. Muted greens are made from yellow ochre, ultramarine blue and ivory black.

techniques