plate no. 7295

Mrs. Thomas Leiper and Her Daughter, Helen Hamilton Leiper

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguresmotherchildclothinghair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle blending of skin tones. It also provides practice in rendering fabric and creating a sense of depth through value changes.

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 figures, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of muted green and brown tones.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, clothing, and hair, using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin to refine the skin tones, using subtle gradations of color to create form and volume.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the folds and highlights in the fabric.
step 06
Work on the hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture and movement.
step 07
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · ivory black

Skin tones are achieved by mixing titanium white, cadmium red light, yellow ochre, and a touch of raw umber. The purple in the dress is achieved by mixing alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue with white. The background is a mix of raw umber, ivory black, and a touch of green.

techniques