plate no. 8498

Mary Digges, Lady Robert Manners

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfiguredressflowerslacehair

some experience helpful

This painting provides a good opportunity to practice portraiture, focusing on subtle skin tones and rendering fabric folds. Students can also learn about creating soft, diffused backgrounds and delicate floral details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the oval shape and the basic proportions of the figure, paying attention to the head tilt and shoulder placement.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: background, skin tones, dress, and hair, using thin washes.
step 03
Refine the skin tones by layering subtle variations of color, focusing on highlights and shadows.
step 04
Develop the dress, paying attention to the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 05
Add the lace details, using a fine brush and light, delicate strokes.
step 06
Paint the flowers, focusing on their individual shapes and colors.
step 07
Refine the background, blending the edges to create a soft, diffused effect.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · red · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · rose madder · yellow ochre · cerulean blue

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Create the dress color by mixing red with a touch of brown and white. Use small amounts of blue and black to create the background.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·blending
·rendering fabric
·floral painting

common pitfalls

→Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in color and value.
→Making the dress appear flat and lifeless.
→Ignoring the importance of accurate proportions.
→Getting lost in the details before establishing the overall composition.

materials

surface · stretched oval canvas

required

·Stretched oval canvas
·Oil paints (red, white, black, yellow ochre, raw umber, rose madder, cerulean blue)
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife