plate no. 6385

Mrs Vigee-Lebrun and her daughter, Jeanne-Lucie-Louise

oil, woodRococoself-portraitfigureportraitmotherchilddressfabric

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and subtle skin tones, as well as rendering drapery and fabric textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and proportions of the figures and background.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in large areas of color.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, paying close attention to subtle variations in light and shadow.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, focusing on the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 05
Refine the facial features, capturing the likeness and expressions of the subjects.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Work on the background, ensuring it complements the figures without distracting from them.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition, color, and details.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium red light · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red; use ultramarine blue and ivory black for the darker blues of the dress; create the golden fabric with yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red.

techniques