plate no. 7105

Portrait of a Girl at the Age of 10

oil, canvasBaroqueportraitportraitfiguredresscurtainflowerstable

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, rendering fabric textures, and understanding light and shadow to create form. It also provides practice in capturing the likeness of a subject and creating a sense of depth and realism.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figure and background elements.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors, focusing on the overall value structure of the painting.
step 03
Begin refining the details of the face, paying close attention to the light and shadow to create a realistic likeness.
step 04
Work on the dress, using layering and glazing techniques to create the rich textures and folds of the fabric.
step 05
Add details to the collar, sleeves, and other decorative elements, using fine brushes to capture the intricate patterns.
step 06
Paint the background elements, such as the curtain and flowers, using a looser brushstroke to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting the values and colors as needed to create a harmonious and balanced image.
step 08
Add final details, such as highlights and shadows, to enhance the realism and depth of the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · cadmium red · ivory black

secondary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Mix various shades of yellow ochre and burnt umber to create the golden tones of the dress. Use cadmium red and ivory black to create the dark reds of the curtain. Mix ultramarine blue and white for cooler highlights.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·portraiture
·fabric rendering

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of form.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Not creating enough contrast between light and shadow.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, cadmium red, ivory black, titanium white, ultramarine blue, raw sienna)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat, various sizes)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags