plate no. 0055

Portrait of a Lady

oilRomanticismportraitportraitwomanfurdressgloveshair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to create depth and form using light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of burnt umber and red, establishing the overall tone.
step 03
Begin to define the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and proportions.
step 04
Establish the dark values of the dress and fur collar, gradually building up layers of color.
step 05
Work on the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to subtle variations in skin tone.
step 06
Add highlights to the face, fur, and dress to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details of the hair and clothing, adding texture and detail.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and red for the background. Create skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. Use black and white to create the dark values of the dress.

techniques