plate no. 5160

Mrs. Mary Nesbitt

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitwomanbirddresshairfigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric and skin tones with subtle color variations. It also offers practice in creating soft, atmospheric backgrounds.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the oval composition and the placement of the figure and bird.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of dark blues and greens, creating a soft, atmospheric effect.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure and dress using a mid-tone yellow.
step 04
Develop the skin tones, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color and value, especially on the face.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to the dress to create a sense of volume and drapery.
step 06
Paint the bird, focusing on its delicate feathers and form.
step 07
Refine the details of the hair, adding highlights and shadows to create texture and volume.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values to create a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · alizarin crimson · sap green

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and small amounts of alizarin crimson and burnt umber. Achieve the background's atmospheric effect by blending blues and greens with white.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·blending
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a flat or unnatural appearance.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Creating a background that is too busy or distracting.
→Ignoring the subtle shifts in color and value.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (oval shape preferred)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, titanium white, burnt umber, alizarin crimson, sap green)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags