plate no. 5503

Old Coquette

oil, canvasBaroquegenre paintingfiguresmirrortablejewelryportraitribbon

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, rendering skin tones, and depicting complex compositions with multiple figures and objects. It also provides practice in capturing the effects of light and shadow on various surfaces.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Develop the skin tones by layering different shades of warm and cool colors.
step 04
Define the details of the faces, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Paint the clothing and accessories, paying attention to the folds and textures.
step 06
Render the objects on the table, such as the jewelry and ribbons, with careful attention to detail.
step 07
Refine the background and add any final touches.
step 08
Glaze to unify the painting and adjust values.

color palette

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

secondary · ivory black · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Mix skin tones by blending yellow ochre, cadmium red, and titanium white, with touches of raw umber and ultramarine blue for shadows. Use burnt sienna and raw umber for darker areas and details.

techniques