plate no. 5910

Milanese lady with a fan

oil, canvasAcademicismportraitportraitfigurefandresslacejewelry

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as practicing the depiction of fabrics and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of key elements like the head, hands, and fan.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted tone, gradually building up depth and subtle variations in color.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, starting with the skin tones and then moving on to the dress and shawl.
step 04
Carefully render the facial features, paying close attention to the highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and form.
step 05
Add details to the dress and shawl, focusing on the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 06
Paint the fan, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and the way the light reflects off the surface.
step 07
Add the lace details and jewelry, using small brushes to create fine lines and intricate patterns.
step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting the values and colors as needed to create a harmonious and balanced image.

color palette

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

secondary · viridian green · yellow ochre · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, and a touch of umber. Create the dark background by blending black and umber with subtle variations.

techniques

·portrait painting
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·rendering fabric

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Overworking the skin tones and creating a muddy effect.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in color and value.
→Losing the overall sense of harmony and balance in the composition.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 18x24
·Oil paints (ivory black, titanium white, burnt umber, cadmium red, viridian green, yellow ochre, raw sienna)
·Round brushes (sizes 0, 2, 4, 6)
·Flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife