plate no. 7806

Portrait de la comtesse de Sérent

oilRococoportraitportraitwomanmaskdressfanrococo

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering skin tones and the delicate folds and textures of fabric. It also provides practice in capturing subtle lighting and creating a sense of depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and key elements.
step 02
Establish the background with thin washes of color, gradually building up depth and tone.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, paying attention to the overall form and pose.
step 04
Begin layering skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 05
Work on the dress, capturing the folds and textures with careful observation of light and shadow.
step 06
Paint the mask and fan, paying attention to their unique textures and details.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue · viridian

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Use black and white to create a range of grays for the mask. Mix white with a touch of blue and yellow for the dress.

techniques