plate no. 7153

Mrs. Francis Beckford

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfiguredresslacebackgroundfabric

experienced study

Recreating this painting will allow students to practice portraiture, including skin tones and facial features, as well as rendering complex fabric textures and details.

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 figure and dress.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark browns and grays.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, dress, and hair.
step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Develop the details of the dress, focusing on the folds, highlights, and lace patterns.
step 06
Add the fine details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Refine the background and adjust the overall values and colors.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black · alizarin crimson

Mix blues and whites for the dress, adding touches of yellow ochre for highlights. Use raw umber and burnt sienna for the background, and mix skin tones with white, red, yellow, and a touch of blue.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·fabric rendering
·blending

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions wrong
→Overtly bright colors
→Failing to capture the likeness
→Overworking the details

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (ultramarine blue, titanium white, raw umber, burnt sienna, yellow ochre, ivory black, alizarin crimson)
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Rags