plate no. 9220

Mary Robinson as Perdita

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguredresshatlacehair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as practicing soft blending techniques to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hand.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of dark red and brown, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, dress, and hat, using a limited palette.
step 04
Refine the skin tones with subtle gradations of color, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Add details to the hair, dress, and hat, such as the lace, ribbons, and feathers.
step 06
Define the facial features, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of harmony and balance.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · cadmium red · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Darken shadows with burnt umber and blue. Create the red background by mixing cadmium red with alizarin crimson and burnt umber.

techniques