plate no. 0024

Miss Martindale

oilRococoportraitportraitgirlsheeplandscapedressbonnet

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding soft, diffused lighting and atmospheric perspective.

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 girl, sheep, and background.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or similar earth tone.
step 03
Begin blocking in the main colors of the background, focusing on the soft transitions and atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Start developing the skin tones, using subtle variations of pink, yellow, and white.
step 05
Paint the white dress, paying attention to the subtle shadows and highlights that define its form.
step 06
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, ensuring accurate proportions and expression.
step 07
Refine the details of the sheep, including its wool and facial features.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium yellow light · alizarin crimson

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow, and red with small amounts of blue and brown for shadows. Mix white with a touch of blue for the dress highlights and shadows.

techniques