plate no. 8490
Portrait of a young lady
Jacob Jordaens, 1638
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as practicing the layering technique to achieve depth and realism.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the main shapes and proportions of the figure.
- step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted tone.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, dress, and jewelry.
- step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Develop the details of the hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture and volume.
- step 06
Refine the details of the dress, including the lace and folds.
- step 07
Add the jewelry, focusing on capturing the metallic sheen and intricate details.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and values.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue
Mix various combinations of raw umber, burnt sienna, and titanium white to achieve the skin tones. Use ivory black and ultramarine blue for the dark background and dress. Add touches of cadmium red for the lips and cheeks.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·blending
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
- →Overworking the skin tones and losing the natural texture.
- →Failing to create enough contrast between the light and dark areas.
- →Not capturing the subtle variations in color and value.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to improve the flow and blending of the paints.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
related artworks
Girl with a Straw Hat
Judith Leyster
Gezicht Op De Laurenskerk Gezien Vanuit Noordoosten
Abraham Storck
Bathsheba Bathing
Francesco Solimena
Repentant Peter
Guido Reni
Itinerant Musicians
Jacob Ochtervelt
Marie Christine
Marcello Bacciarelli
Santa Cecilia E Due Angeli
Giulio Cesare Procaccini
Scene from the Life of Saint Benedict
Philippe de Champaigne