plate no. 1122

Portrait of a Young Woman

oilBaroqueportraitportraitwomandresschairlacefan

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures and folds. It also provides practice in creating subtle color variations and achieving a sense of depth through value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of paint.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the dress, skin tones, and chair.
step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create the folds and shadows in the dress.
step 05
Refine the facial features, paying attention to accurate proportions and subtle value changes.
step 06
Add details to the lace collar and cuffs, using small brushes and light colors.
step 07
Paint the fan, focusing on creating a soft, feathery texture.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall form and create a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · ivory black · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Achieve the dress color by mixing burnt umber and raw sienna with varying amounts of white. Use small amounts of red and yellow to warm up the skin tones.

techniques