plate no. 0569

Mathilde Therese Pannwitz Spitzner

oilRealismportraitportraitfigureclothingjewelrylacehair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle skin tone variations, and rendering of fabric textures. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and creating a sense of depth and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the oval shape of the portrait and the basic proportions of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, clothing, and background.
step 03
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the placement and shape of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, including the lace collar and the folds of the fabric.
step 05
Add the jewelry, focusing on the highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth.
step 06
Refine the background, blending the colors to create a soft, diffused effect.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of realism.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and add depth.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use ivory black and burnt umber for the dark clothing, adding small amounts of blue or crimson to adjust the tone.

techniques