plate no. 0021

Mrs. Cholmondeley

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguredressfurcolumnlandscape

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in portraiture, particularly capturing skin tones and fabric textures. Students can also learn about creating depth through subtle value changes in the background.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Establish the main light source and shadow areas.
step 03
Block in the background with broad strokes, focusing on the overall color harmony.
step 04
Begin layering the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Develop the details of the dress and fur, using smaller brushes and more precise strokes.
step 06
Refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Apply final glazes to unify the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue or umber for shadows. Achieve the dress color by mixing white with small amounts of blue and umber. The fur is a blend of black, umber, and white.

techniques