plate no. 8090

Mrs. Alexander Hamilton

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguredresschairlacehair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing subtle skin tones and rendering delicate fabrics like lace. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form through careful value control.

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 proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, muted tones.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the dress, hair, and face.
step 04
Begin refining the skin tones, paying attention to subtle shifts in value and color.
step 05
Add details to the dress, including the lace and ribbon.
step 06
Work on the hair, creating volume and texture with careful brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · viridian · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Use black and umber to create shadows and depth. Mix white with small amounts of other colors to create the dress and hair.

techniques

·portrait painting
·glazing
·scumbling
·blending
·value study

common pitfalls

→Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
→Failing to capture the correct proportions of the figure.
→Ignoring subtle shifts in value and color, leading to a lack of depth.
→Getting lost in the details before establishing the overall composition.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, ivory black, raw umber, cadmium red, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, viridian)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags