plate no. 6605

Portrait of a Lady with Her Child

oilRococoportraitportraitfigurespianoclothingdraperymusic

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict fabric and drapery with subtle shading.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and piano.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, figures, and piano using thin washes.
step 03
Begin to build up the skin tones using layers of color, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Refine the details of the clothing, including the folds and drapery, using subtle shading and highlights.
step 05
Paint the piano, focusing on the wood grain and reflective surfaces.
step 06
Add the details of the faces, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, to capture the likeness of the subjects.
step 07
Refine the details of the hair, adding highlights and shadows to create depth and texture.
step 08
Add final details and adjustments to the painting to create a cohesive and polished look.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · cadmium red light

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson

Achieve skin tones by mixing titanium white, cadmium red light, yellow ochre, and a touch of raw umber. Use burnt sienna and raw umber for the piano, and ivory black to darken shadows.

techniques