plate no. 5419

Portrait of a lady with a fan

oil, panelRomanticismportraitportraitfiguredresscurtainfanjewelry

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict fabric and drapery with light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and dress.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of dark browns and reds, suggesting the drapery.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face with light skin tones, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 04
Begin to define the features of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, with careful blending.
step 05
Paint the dress with dark blacks and grays, using subtle variations to create the illusion of folds and texture.
step 06
Add details to the fan and jewelry, using small brushes and precise strokes.
step 07
Refine the overall composition by adjusting the values and colors as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of skin tones by combining white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Achieve the deep blacks of the dress by mixing ivory black with a touch of burnt umber.

techniques

·portraiture
·blending
·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·rendering fabric

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the face and body.
→Overly harsh or muddy skin tones.
→Lack of depth and dimension in the dress.
→Ignoring subtle variations in color and value.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 16x20
·Oil paints: ivory black, titanium white, burnt umber, cadmium red, yellow ochre
·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·Flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Rags